Best Unsalted Butter for Baking: Top Picks for Perfect Results

Butter is a staple ingredient in many baked goods and recipes. It works hand in hand with sugar, eggs, and flour, all important baking ingredients you’d never think to substitute. 

Why should you consider substituting butter? When a baking recipe calls for unsalted butter, there’s a specific reason that really has more to do with taste than just the finish. 

It will impact the final outcome of your baked goods. Here’s what you need to know about the best unsalted butter for baking.

Best Butter for Baking

For the best butter for baking, there are some excellent options you can consider:

• High-quality salted butter: Many experts prefer salted butter for spreading directly on bread because the salt enhances the butter’s creamy flavor. This butter often has a higher fat content, giving it a richer taste and smoother texture.
• Unsalted butter with a sprinkle of salt: If you prefer to control the amount of salt, you can use high-quality unsalted butter and sprinkle it with a little sea salt or fine table salt. This gives you the best of both worlds.
• European butter: European butter has a higher fat content (usually between 82% and 86%) compared to American butter (80% minimum). This makes it creamier and has a richer flavor, making it an excellent choice for spreading on bread.

What’s the Main Difference Between Salted Butter and Unsalted Butter?

The main difference between salted and unsalted butter is the salt content. Here are some other differences and aspects to consider:

• Unsalted butter: Gives you complete control over the amount of salt you add to your food. This is especially important in baking, where salt can affect the interactions of other ingredients. Pure butter also has a more pronounced flavor.
• Salted butter: Adds a salty flavor to a dish, which may be desirable in some applications. However, it can be difficult to control the final amount of salt in a dish.
• Unsalted butter: Typically has a slightly shorter shelf life than salted butter because the salt acts as a preservative.
• Salted butter: Lasts longer in the refrigerator due to the presence of salt.
• Unsalted butter: Generally preferred for baking and desserts because it allows for precise control over the amount of salt and brings out the natural flavor of the butter. It is also suitable for cooking when you want complete control over the salt level. 
• Salted butter: It’s great for spreading on toast or pancakes, and for adding flavor to sautéed vegetables or sauces. It can also be used in some recipes where the exact amount of salt isn’t critical.

When to Use Unsalted Butter?

Unsalted butter is used in the following situations:

• When baking: Unsalted butter is preferred in most baking recipes because the amount of salt in salted butter varies between brands, which can lead to inconsistent results. Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the amount of salt added to a recipe. Additionally, salt can affect yeast fermentation and gluten development in some baked goods.
• When cooking: Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of your dishes. You can add salt to taste and taste the food during cooking to adjust the flavor.
• When a pure butter flavor is desired: In some recipes, such as butter cakes or desserts that rely heavily on butter flavor, unsalted butter is preferred to allow the sweet creamy flavor to shine through.
• When using it as a primary ingredient: When butter is the main flavor, such as in butter sauces or when simply sautéing ingredients in butter, using unsalted butter allows you to fully control the seasoning.

When to Use Salted Butter?

Salted butter is used in a variety of dishes, but it particularly shines in the following situations:

• Baking: Salted butter adds a delicious flavor to breads and pastries, and helps balance the sweetness of some recipes.
• Cooking: It can be used to sauté vegetables or meats, adding an extra flavor.
• Spreading: It’s an excellent spread on toast or saltine crackers, as the salt enhances the flavor of the butter.
• Dishes that Require Little Salt: If your recipe doesn’t call for a lot of additional salt, using salted butter can save you from adding salt separately.

Benefits of unsalted butter

• Sodium Control: Unsalted butter contains no added salt, making it an ideal choice for people watching their sodium intake.
• Natural Flavor: The pure flavor of unsalted butter allows the natural flavor of foods to shine through, especially in baked goods and desserts.
• Versatility in Cooking and Baking: Unsalted butter is ideal for baking because it gives you complete control over the amount of salt added to a recipe. It’s also ideal for cooking, as you can season your dish to taste.
• Source of Vitamins: Butter contains important vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K2. These vitamins are essential for healthy skin, supporting immune function, promoting bone health, and aiding blood clotting.
• Contains Healthy Fats: Butter is a good source of healthy saturated fats, which are essential for many bodily functions and provide energy.
• Source of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): CLA is linked to potential health benefits such as reducing inflammation and improving immune function.
• Enhance Flavors: Unsalted butter adds richness and creaminess to dishes, making them more enjoyable.

Types of unsalted butter

• Sweet Cream Butter: The most common, made from fresh milk cream. It often contains around 80% fat.
• European-Style Butter: Contains a higher fat content (82-86%) and lower moisture. This makes it ideal for desserts and pastries, giving them a richer, fluffier texture. It may have a slightly deeper flavor due to the churning process.
• Whipped Butter: Whipped to incorporate air, making it lighter and easier to spread. It is often available in an unsalted form.
• Cow Butter: The most common. The flavor may vary slightly depending on the cow’s diet (e.g., grass-fed butter).
• Buffalo Butter: Has a different flavor and texture.
• Goat Butter: Has a distinct flavor that may be too strong for some.
• Organic Butter: Made from the milk of cows raised according to organic farming standards. Cultured Butter: Lactic acid bacteria are added to the butter after pasteurization and before churning, giving it a more complex, slightly acidic flavor.
• Ghee: A type of butter that has been clarified to remove the solids, milk, and water, leaving pure fat with a rich, nutty flavor. Unsalted ghee is also available.
• Plant-Based Butter: Made from plant oils such as coconut, palm, and olive oil, it aims to mimic the texture and flavor of animal butter. Unsalted varieties are available.

Which butter is best for baking cakes?

For baking cakes, unsalted butter is generally the best choice. Here are some reasons:

• Salt Control: Unsalted butter allows you to fully control the amount of salt in your recipe. This is especially important in baking, where salt can affect the flavor and texture of a cake.
• Pure Butter Flavor: Unsalted butter allows the pure flavor of butter to shine through in a cake without any interference from added salt.
• Better Interaction with Other Ingredients: The salt in salted butter can interact differently with other ingredients in a cake, potentially affecting the final result.

What is the best brand/type of butter to use for baking dessert?

For dessert baking, unsalted butter is generally the best choice. Here are some reasons:

• Salt Control: Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the amount of salt you add to your recipe. This is especially important in desserts, where salt can significantly affect the final flavor.
• Pure Butter Flavor: Unsalted butter allows the natural flavor of butter to shine through in desserts without interference from added salt.
• Better Interaction with Other Ingredients: In some recipes, the salt in salted butter can interact with other ingredients in undesirable ways.

Best butter for health

• Almond butter: Tops the list for its high content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidant vitamin E. It also provides protein and copper and may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
• Nut butter: A source of monounsaturated fats and the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which promotes heart health, reduces harmful cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may improve brain health. It’s also a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and iron.
• Peanut butter: A good source of protein and healthy fats, it contains the antioxidant resveratrol, which reduces the risk of heart disease. The fiber in it supports digestion and promotes satiety.
• Peanut butter: High in protein and fiber, it aids digestion and promotes satiety. It’s also a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants. Butter made from grass-fed cows: May contain higher levels of omega-3 fats and conjugated linoleic acid than conventional butter, making it a heart-healthy choice.
• Organic butter: May be a better choice to avoid potential exposure to pesticides and hormones.

FAQ

Which butter is best for cake, salted or unsalted?

Unsalted butter is the best choice for most cake recipes. Here’s why:

• Salt Control: Unsalted butter gives you complete control over the amount of salt you add to your cake. Salt enhances other flavors in a cake, but the amount can vary between different salted butters. With unsalted butter, you can add the exact amount recommended in the recipe for the best balance of flavors.
• Purity of Flavor: Unsalted butter allows the pure, creamy flavor of butter to shine through in the cake without the salt flavor interfering. This is especially important in cakes whose flavor relies heavily on butter, such as a traditional butter cake.
• Consistency of Results: Since the amount of salt in salted butter varies, using unsalted butter ensures consistent results every time you bake the same recipe.

What is the best butter to use for baking biscuits?

For biscuit baking, unsalted butter is generally the best choice. Here’s why:

• Salt Control: Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the amount of salt you add to your recipe. This is especially important in baking, where salt can affect the flavor and texture of the final product.
• Pure Butter Flavor: Unsalted butter allows the pure, creamy flavor of butter to shine through in biscuits without the interference of added salt.
• Precise Recipes: Many biscuit recipes are designed with a specific amount of salt. Using salted butter can lead to an excess of salt in the dough.

Finally, we talked about the best unsalted butter for baking. Choosing the best unsalted butter for baking depends on several factors, including your personal preferences and the type of bread you are making.

Also read:

• Best Type of Butter for Baking: Achieve Flaky, Rich Results Every Time.

• Best Margarine for Puff Pastry: Get Perfect Flaky Layers Every Time.