Best Margarine Brands for Baking

Not everyone is a fan of butter, and if you’re a part of the anti-butter club, you likely scratch your head when it comes to baking. After all, plenty of baked treats call for butter – not margarine or other butter alternatives. 

The good news is that you can successfully substitute butter for margarine in your baking recipes. The key is to find high-fat, low-water margarine. Too much water content and your dough or batter will become too thin and wet for success. Sticks tend to work better than tubs.

But which brand has the best margarine? While there are many top-notch kinds of margarine out there, they’re not all created equally – especially when it comes to baked goods. That’s why I’ve hand-selected these top eight margarine brands so that you can be confident in your treat with no mishaps along the way.

Howdy! I’m Michelle, and I’ve been baking for the last ten years. While I have a slight obsession with butter, I’ve still dabbled with margarine here and there. I’m adding my favorite margarine brands, plus some other top choices based on reviews and features.

Let me “butter you up” with these top eight margarine brands for baking.

1. Land O Lakes

Land O Lakes has been around for over 100 years. They’re my personal favorite brand for margarine. Not only is this company’s margarine delicious, but their margarine sticks have an impressively high-fat content.

Needless to say, Land O Lakes is a brand you can trust, whether you’re using margarine for baking cookies, cakes, cupcakes, or other baked goodies. 

2. Imperial

If I had to pick a runner-up behind Land O Lakes margarine, I’d definitely go for Imperial. Imperial is one of the cheapest choices on the market, making it the go-to for those baking on a budget.

But don’t let the low price fool you. These margarine sticks have a surprisingly high-fat content that is ideal for baking – so much so that the company plastered a chocolate chip cookie recipe right on the back.

3. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!

I can’t believe you’re not using I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter margarine sticks! Okay, that was a bit of a tongue-twister. But in all honesty, I can’t believe you’re not using it.

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter was a staple in my home growing up, and I have many fond memories of baking goodies with my mom using this margarine.

Now that I’m all grown up (or at least I like to think I am!), I still use this margarine here and there. I’m a big fan of their cooking spray, but the margarine sticks also work well for baking.

4. Country Crock

Another name I recognize from childhood – and you might, too – is Country Crock. Like most other households, my family was a big fan of those delightful tubs of Country Crock (which eventually got used as a storage container for leftovers – am I right?).

But while their tubs may take center stage, Country Crock offers wonderful, high-fat margarine sticks for baking. That said, save the tubs for baked potatoes and toast. Opt for the sticks when making muffins and cupcakes.

5. Fleischmanns

Fleischmanns was founded in 1868 and has created quite a fan base. People love their tried-and-true products, and the margarine sticks are no exception.

While their yeast packets may be their best seller, their margarine sticks are undeniably impressive. Their high-fat content ensures that your baked goods don’t end up thin, watery, and repulsive. When you use Fleischmanns, you might forget you’re using margarine altogether!

6. Melt 

Are you looking for margarine with impressive creaminess and flavor? Then Melt margarine sticks are exactly what you’re looking for.

Aside from the flavors, these margarine sticks are crafted with various fruits and plant oils, allowing the margarine to contain heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats. It’s also USDA-certified organic, a label plenty of people are looking for in this day and age.

7. Earth Balance

Where are my vegan bakers at? Earth Balance is the best choice for those who want to use margarine but want to avoid any type of dairy.

And don’t worry – just because these margarine sticks don’t contain dairy doesn’t mean they’re destined for failure. The fat content is surprisingly on-par with the margarine mentioned above, ensuring lovely baked goodies every time.

8. Buckeye Flex

When something is marketed specifically for baking, you know you’ll get an excellent product for all your baking needs – and that’s exactly what the Buckeye Flex margarine sticks are all about.

With high-fat content specifically designed for baking, you can feel confident that your goodies will come out perfect every time. Yum, yum!

FAQs

Now that you know which brands are best for baking, you should have no trouble whipping up delicious treats using margarine! If you want to learn more about this fun topic, here are a few more frequently asked questions to check out.

What is the best margarine to use?

The best margarine will have a high-fat content and be a stick, not a spread. My personal favorite is Land O Lakes, but any of these brands will be excellent choices for your baked goods.

Do bakers use margarine?

I’ve known bakers who use butter (like myself) and some that use margarine. There is really no “rule” for bakers when it comes to which ingredient they use for their treats, so don’t think that you’re not making “real” goodies like a baker if you opt for margarine!

Is Blue Bonnet margarine?

Blue Bonnet has margarine sticks that are wonderful for baking! They didn’t make my top eight list, though, solely because they have a slightly lower fat content. This means that baked goods may not turn out exactly how you planned. For instance, cookies may be thinner and crispier – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Get Ready to Bake with These Top Margarine Brands!

There you have it, folks! The top eight margarine brands for baking. While I am personally a big fan of Land O Lakes, any of these margarine companies will do justice to your baked treats.

What is your favorite brand of margarine for baking? Share in the comments!

I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.