Two words come to mind when I think about brownies – chocolatey goodness. There is nothing like a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth brownie. And while there are many ways to achieve chocolatey greatness, one of the easiest ways is to use butter instead of oil in your brownies.
Hi, everyone! My name is Michelle – welcome to this article! I’ve been a home baker for the past ten years. Even though I have made plenty of whimsical and scrumptious desserts, my all-time favorite is brownies. I love to make them, and I always use butter.
Are you planning to make a batch of brownies this weekend? Not sure if you can use butter instead of oil? Then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll discuss why you can – and should – use butter instead of oil in brownies.
Let me butter you up with some facts about using butter instead of oil in brownies!
Contents
Can You Use Butter Instead of Oil in Brownies?
If you’re making a pan of brownies and gathering up your ingredients, only to realize you have no oil in your pantry, you might start to panic. Do you have to say goodbye to your dreams of biting into an ooey gooey brownie? No, not at all. You have options, and the number one choice is butter.
Butter can absolutely be used instead of oil in brownies.
In fact, I prefer it, and I think after you give it a try, you’ll never reach for your container of oil again.
Why Use Butter Instead of Oil?
Let’s say you have found yourself in this conundrum: you have oil and butter on hand but don’t know which one you should use. Well, I highly suggest going the butter route. But why?
Using butter instead of oil in your brownies will do three things:
- The texture will be slightly airier and less dense
- There will be a delightful crumbliness to the brownies
- Finally, the flavor will be much richer and more decadent
Needless to say, swapping butter for oil is nothing but positive and brings about nothing but welcome changes.
How to Use Butter Instead of Oil When Making Brownies
When swapping certain ingredients in baking, things can get complicated. You might have to reduce the liquid, add some extra ingredients, or do some other wizardry to achieve a successful dessert.
But that’s not true for this swap. (Thank goodness.)
To use butter instead of oil when making brownies, simply replace it in a 1:1 ratio.
So, if your recipe requires ½ cup of a certain type of oil, you’ll swap for ½ cup of butter. Make sure the butter is melted to ensure you have the correct amount. Allow the butter to cool for a few minutes before adding it to the other ingredients.
Bake as usual and enjoy some of the richest and most delicious brownies you have ever sunk your teeth into. (Oh, and then come back and thank me afterward!)
FAQs
Using butter instead of oil when baking brownies? Always a definite “yes!” We got the important question out of the way. However, if you want to learn a little more about this topic, I’ve added a few frequently asked questions to check out.
Do brownies taste better with butter or oil?
Brownies taste better with butter. There’s just no way around it. Butter will provide a richer and more decadent flavor to the brownies that are highly enjoyable. At the same time, brownies made with butter also come out more cake-like and crumbly, which is also delightful.
What can I substitute for 1/2 cup of oil in brownies butter?
The best way to substitute ½ cup of oil when making brownies is to replace it with ½ cup of butter. However, there are a few other options. You can do ½ cup of margarine, ghee, yogurt, mayonnaise, applesauce, or even pureed cauliflower.
Do you really need oil for brownies?
Brownie recipes call for a type of fat – typically oil – to produce the right texture and flavor. If you don’t have any oil, you’ll need to replace it with another ingredient, like butter. Do not try to nix the oil altogether. This will result in a cakey and less fudgy brownie that isn’t as succulent.
You Can Make Brownies With Butter Instead of Oil!
The good news is that you can make brownies with butter instead of oil. In fact, that’s the only way I make my brownies. The butter produces a flavor that is truly remarkable and indulgent. It will also be slightly more cakey and crumbly, which is a very enjoyable texture.
Do you use butter or oil when making brownies? Do you use another ingredient entirely? We would love to hear from you, so go ahead and write in the comment section below!
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