My search for substitute of butter began when I came to know about the quantity of butter used in making cookies. Believe me, the soft crumbly texture which we all enjoy in cookies is solely because of the properties of butter and it’s reaction with sugar while baking. Butter (especially the one we buy from the stores) literally have zero nutritional value when it comes to health. But without butter your cookies will be flat and as hard as a rock. So, the question is “How to make cookies without butter?” Don’t worry! I am sharing a magic ingredient with you all, which is healthy and can successfully act as a substitute for butter. Before that let’s understand the role of butter in cookies and how can we replace butter entirely.
Role of butter in cookies
Butter is one of the most important ingredients in baking, one of the vital ingredients while baking cookies. Why do we need butter for baking?
- Butter adds flavor
- It acts as a leavening agent when it combines with sugar.
- This saturated fat has a melting point slightly below body temperature and hence it make cookies and chocolates melt in our mouth.
- It adds moisture and softness. When fat (butter) is added to the flour it inhibits gluten formation and prevent the baked goods from being chewy. More is the gluten formed, more chewy will be the product.
Now that we know the fundamental roles butter play in baking, we can search for ingredients which impart similar properties. Check out the list of butter substitutes here and follow a healthy baking routine.
How to make cookies without butter?
As you see, there are various substitutes to butter, but each substitute has different properties and hence delivers different flavors and textures. So, what is the magic ingredient that works best for cookies?
It is “eggs”. But simply whisking an egg and adding it to the cookie dough won’t bring a crumbly cookie texture. Beating eggs with sugar till it forms stiff peaks (meringue) will bake you the lightest and crumbly cookies of all times.
Oats and whole wheat flour are among the healthiest grains on planet and therefore my favorite flour for cookies. I am sharing two recipes of healthy cookies. You can experiment with the same and add your desired flavors and flours.
No butter oatmeal cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Microwave/Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats rolled/ instant oats
- 1 large egg
- 5 tbsp sugar powdered
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 pinch baking soda
- 1/4 cup nuts of your choice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Grind oats in a grinder to make oats flour.
- Preheat the oven at 220° C and prepare a baking tray.
- Beat egg and powdered sugar till stiff peaks are formed. The mixture will turn foamy and triple in quantity.
- Add oats flour, baking soda, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mix well. Add nuts of your choice.
- Scoop out small quantities of the cookie dough and arrange in a baking tray.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes in a preheated oven.
Notes
No butter whole wheat cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Microwave/Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 5 tbsp sugar powdered
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 pinch baking soda
- 1/4 cup any nuts optional
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 220° C and prepare a baking tray.
- Beat egg and powdered sugar till stiff peaks are formed. The mixture will turn foamy and triple in quantity.
- Add whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mix well. Add nuts of your choice.
- Scoop out small quantities of the cookie dough and arrange in a baking tray.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes in a preheated oven.
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