Best butter substitute for baking?

Anoneemoose

I use Flora Buttery for my Victoria sponge cakes and it makes as lovely, light and fluffy cake.

Dithering_Dormouse

Have you considered trying potato pastry? I've just looked it up on the All Recipes website and there's a recipe there. It might be worth a try.

buildersdaughter

I know it's not exactly what you asked, but........getting cholesterol down by diet alone is hard - unless your diet was already very high in saturated fats.
Look very carefully at the fats suggested - not just at the 'headline' as the situation is complicated! NHS Choices has basic information, but if this is medical advice, consider asking for contact with dietician (NOT 'nutritionist' which can mean anything!). Availability varies throughout the country.
Consider getting away from conventional pastry, so high in fat anyway. You say 'can't do without cakes' so I'd look at things like flapjacks, crumbles with low-fat, oaty toppings and look for vegan cookbooks (although some vegan dishes are very high in fat so be aware). Potato pastry (as above) can work, and so can a layer of thinly sliced potatoes (or courgettes, also suggested) drizzled with a little oil (for savoury dishes)
You need to beware of replacing saturated fat with other high fat, or extra sugar (low fat commercial yoghourts do this) so the reason for lowering your cholesterol may be relevant.
You may do better (and to each their own) by continuing to have your really good treats less frequently rather than unsatisfactory substitutes - but there are a lot of people who'll be interested in any good finds you make!

THIRZAH

Have you tried making fatless sponges or a bara brith type of cake which is also fat free? Mary Berry's recipe is good. You soak the fruit in tea overnight. They don't keep as well as cakes containing fat but I cut them up and freeze them in slices.


Not sure what you can do about cutting the fat in pastry although I have seen some diet recipes where filo is used instead of ordinary pastry.

buildersdaughter

Yes, old-fashioned fruit loaves are good - either on their own, or a tiny amount of 'scrape'. They also keep well - we often have one on the go (have just realised that I've contradicted Thirza, I wonder if the amount of fruit is relevant?)

Personally, I find filo pastry rather unpleasant without its usual liberal brushing of butter, but this is all about finding what works for each person.

JingsMyBucket

Ironically enough, it's not the butter causing high cholesterol, most likely, it's the actual cakes and pastries themselves. The sugar in baked goods is the main culprit here:

https://blogs.webmd.com/heart-disease/2017/07/how-sugar-really-affects-your-cholesterol.html

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/cholesterol-a-sweet-trap/2297962

Si_Clist

buildersdaughter wrote: »

I know it's not exactly what you asked, but........getting cholesterol down by diet alone is hard ...

I take your point, but all I'm intent on doing is getting a total cholesterol of 5.8 down to no more than 5.0 by improved diet and more exercise, as suggested by our GP.

The only reason I mentioned cholesterol in the OP was to make clear that I wasn't just after a cheaper product