5 Butter Substitutes That Are Better For Your Heart
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health broke all of our hearts last year when it confirmed that “butter is not back.” But in the end we suppose it’s better for our hearts to know the truth: Butter has no nutritional benefits and is associated with an increase in LDL cholesterol. Try these heart-friendly alternatives instead. Just be aware that baking times may change!
Applesauce
Replace half of your butter or other fats with the same quanity of unsweetened applesauce in any loaf or muffins. And since the applesauce lends some natural sweetness, cut back on some of the added sugar, too.
Avocado
When you’re mixing up something chocolatey swap out the butter for an equal amount of puréed avocado, which is equally creamy, but contains anti-inflammatory unsaturated fats, blood pressure-reducing potassium and fibre.
Prune purée
Prunes are big on B vitamins and iron, and all their fibre helps keep things moving. Mix 3/4 cup of prunes with 1/4 cup of boiling water to blend them into a purée to use in brownies, cookies and dense cakes.
Mashed banana
Cup for cup, a ripe mashed banana can replace butter in brownies and cookies, adding an extra dose of potassium and fibre. Plus, the sweet flavour means you can reduce the sugar you add to the recipe.
These Banana Nut Butter and Jam Muffins are delish!
Pumpkin purée
Love pumpkin spice? Try subbing puréed pumpkin in for butter in cakes and loaves. A very good source of fibre and vitamins A and C, canned pumpkin can also be added to a cake mix for a two-ingredient pumpkin-spice cake.
Try these Healthy Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes.
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