Butter is a kitchen staple. It’s required for many recipes, especially baked goods. And of course, it’s prominently featured on a stack of morning toast. But although butter is made of two ingredients, cream, and salt, no two butter brands are the same. There can be many subtle differences in taste, texture, and appearance depending on the amount of salt and the quality of the cream. Therefore, there are several types considered to be the best butter depending on what it’s used for.
Land O Lakes Salted Butter
Land O Lakes is ideal for everyday use. These sticks are paler in color compared to other varieties. Because of its creaminess and low salt content, it’s a great option for baking; this will prevent the food from becoming accidentally too salty. It would also work well in mashed potatoes or pasta recipes.
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Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter
Kerrygold is a popular brand, and it’s one of the best when it comes to European-style butter. It contains a higher amount of butterfat than many other widely-distributed brands. When it comes to appearance, Kerrygold is one of the most appealing, with a bright yellow shade perfect for spreading across toast. The bright hue comes from the grass diet of the Kerrygold cows, as does the rich flavor that can transport people to the fields of Ireland. It tends to be expensive though, so enjoy it on a thick slice of bread or English muffin where it can be most appreciated.
Challenge Butter
You don’t need to break the bank for good butter, especially if you need large amounts for baking. However, it still needs to have good flavor and texture. So opt for Challenge Butter with its mild taste, a hint of salt, and notably smooth texture. It can work well in baked goods like banana bread, and at the same time, it could nicely top a slice.
Vital Farms
If you are environmentally conscious, here is the best pasture-raised butter milked from cows who graze freely. Like Kerrygold, you can taste the subtle sweet flavor of grass-fed cattle. Additionally, it’s extremely creamy being 85% butterfat. To compare, most American brands are around 80% and European-style butter is usually about 82%. Therefore, Vital Farms would pair well with pancakes made with free-range and cage-free eggs and organic maple syrup. Or in recipes where butter can shine, such as shortbread.
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Cabot
Cabot is American-style butter, meaning it contains at least 80% butterfat. But sometimes extra fat isn’t the best choice like in baking. The slightly higher water content turns into steam as it bakes, which can enhance baked goods that rely on butter. For example, it can help puff up pie crusts and brown the edges of cookies. Plus, the flavor is mild so it won’t overpower other ingredients but it’s rich enough to hold its own in recipes like biscuits.
Miyoko’s Creamery Cultured Vegan Butter
When it comes to vegan baking, it’s often easier to use recipes that require oil instead of hunting for a good butter substitute. But look no further than Miyoko’s Creamery. It has the same texture of of dairy brands when it comes to spreading, melting, and browning. Plus, it’s entirely plant-based without tasting like nuts like other vegan products.
Churn
