Peanut Butter substitute in baking
I love to bake and have come across several peanut butter recipes (cakes, cookies, even a multi-layered/multi-component [cake & cheesecake layers] cake) that sound really good. My problem is I don't like baking things I can't eat (a little selfish I know :D), and peanut butter HATES me. I love it, but it makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and die.
Is there anything that behaves the same as peanut butter that I can substitute? I know it will change the flavor drastically and for most recipes it won't be a problem. I know I can use other nut butters, but I'm asking if there are other alternatives. I know Nutella (flavor-wise) can be substituted for most peanut butter baking recipes, but the texture is different so I don't think it behaves exactly the same (especially if I'm trying to make cookies where that would matter more than cake).
What about cookie butter? Would that behave the same as peanut butter (assuming I decrease the sugar required)?
I read Is it possible to subsititute nutella for peanut butter?, but it's very vague with its question.
Best Answer
I'm a professional baker and my daughter is allergic to peanuts and peanut anything is my husband's favorite, so we have had to learn to adjust. I use soy nut butter. It doesn't contain any peanuts or tree nuts or even sesame so it's safe for most allergy sufferers (except soy). To me it tastes more like real peanut butter than sunflower seed butter. The brand I like is called Wow butter and comes in crunchy and creamy varieties. It has a slight aftertaste, but you get used to it if you dont eat PB regularly. You can find it at most health food stores. Another great option if you can eat almonds is Barney butter. It's made purely from almonds in a peanut free facility. It's pretty pricey - almost $9 a jar, but it is delicious and works well in baked goods if you don't mind paying for it. I typically just use this one as a straight substitute in pb&j. Nutella is delicious of course, but not PB flavor. if you do bake with it though be sure to undercook just a bit because it burns more quickly and will turn your treats into little bricks.
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What is a good substitute for peanut butter in a recipe?
Tree nut butters, such as almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and pecan butters, are great substitutes for peanut butter. They all have similar nutritional profiles and provide heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.Can you substitute butter for peanut butter in a recipe?
Butter SubstituteYou can substitute half the amount of fat in a recipe with peanuts or peanut butter. Check out this amazing no-bake cookie dough recipe here! You can also use peanut oil in place of butter to add an extra delicious nutty taste!What can I use instead of peanut butter in a cake?
Almond butter Almond butter is a fantastic replacement for PB, and works just as well in sandwiches, oatmeal, and baked goods. It does have a more neutral flavor. The texture can also differ: because almonds are harder than peanuts, sometimes almond butter can be a bit thicker.Alternatives to Peanut Butter, what are they and how to make your own
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Answer 2
Sunflower seed butter (also called "sunflower butter") is nut-free, and we use it on sandwiches for a friend with a peanut allergy. Its consistency is essentially identical to peanut butter (it sticks well to bread).
The biggest issue is that the flavor is somewhat different, although that varies somewhat from brand to brand (one brand, which I unfortunately forget the name of so I can't warn you about, had a rather bitter aftertaste). However, if it's mixed in with a bunch of other ingredients for a sweet application, that should be less of a problem (if it's still detectable at all).
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