Last Updated on July 21, 2024 by Lori Walker
Nowadays, there’s a **huge variety** of butter substitutes available, and most folks lean towards the classic or churned choices.
But is whipped butter just regular butter that is whipped? Here’s a comprehensive comparison of whipped butter vs regular butter. Keep reading.
Whipped & Regular Butter Main Differences
Whipped butter is regular butter whipped for a lighter mouthfeel and texture than regular butter. It is used primarily as a table spread or butter.
Since whipped butter contains more air than regular ones, it can be challenging to substitute it for an equal volume of regular butter.
Regular butter is more versatile and easy to use in recipes, while whipped butter is mainly used to make spreading easy on uncooked dishes.
Whipped butter is healthier because it contains less butter than regular ones. However, whipped butter is not recommended for cooking because it melts faster than regular butter.
Find out if it’s better to use butter instead of oleo here.
Key Differences
How It Is Made
Regular butter is made by beating the cream, the fattest and thickest part of milk [1]. The fat globules stick together as it is beaten, forcing them to form a solid mass of milk fat called butter.
On the other hand, whipped butter is made by whipping regular softened butter with a mixer to incorporate air and make it fluffier, softer, and lighter [2].
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Purpose & Versatility
Regular butter is versatile and serves many purposes compared to whipped butter. It can be used for cooking, baking, condiments, and enriching sauces.
On the other hand, whipped butter is considered a spread rather than butter because of its texture and purpose. You can’t cook with it because it melts more manageably and is widely used as a topping or a table spread.
Taste
Regular butter is rich, creamy, and soft with a hint of sweetness. When absorbed by foods when cooking and baking, it can make the dish more delicious; “buttery” is a high compliment.
However, whipped butter tastes better than regular butter, even with the same base ingredients. It is because of its extra-rich flavors and spreadable, fluffy texture.
Read: How Long Does Almond Butter Remain Fresh?
Texture
Whipped butter has a lighter and softer texture than regular butter because whipped butter contains air or inert gas.
When whipped butter is cold, it is crumbly, and while it is not spreadable straight from the refrigerator, it gets softer faster than regular butter.
Meanwhile, regular butter has a smooth texture but remains firm inside the fridge. It gets soft at room temperature and melts when at a higher temperature.
Find out if unsalted butter is better to use than salted butter for pie crust here.
Cost
Whipped butter costs more than regular butter.
Aside from the brand, since whipped butter undergoes additional steps and has different packaging and usage purposes, it is more expensive. But what does “short” in baking mean
Nutritional Facts
While whipped butter and regular butter share the same ingredients, whipped butter is healthier.
The same volume of whipped butter and regular butter gives out in different quantities.
Whipped butter contains less because it has increased volume due to air content. Based on Calorie King, a tablespoon of whipped butter contains 67 calories, while a tablespoon of regular butter contains 102 calories.
Read: Top 10 Delicious Baking Recipes With Lots Of Butter
Which Butter is Best for Baking, Whipped or Regular Butter?
Regular butter is best for baking. Whipped butter is not meant for baking because it melts faster, gives off too much foam, and does not have enough solid fat.
Regular butter helps baked goods rise, create flakey layers, and give a good taste.
“The fat in butter can also extend the shelf life of your baked goods.”
– Chef Jenny McCoy, Professional Chef
Since the air in the whipped butter increases the volume, it can be challenging to substitute recipes calling for a stick of butter.
Related Post: What’s The Distinction Between Egg Wash & Butter?
FAQs
Is whipped butter the same as soft butter?
No, whipped butter differs from soft butter because whipped contains air and increased volume. Soft butter is regular butter that has softened.
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How much whipped butter equals a stick of regular butter?
A stick of regular butter is equivalent to 4 oz of whipped butter. Do not measure the volume when substituting because they are not equal due to whipped butter’s increased volume.
Find out how you can salt unsalted butter here.
Is whipped butter healthier than regular butter?
Yes, whipped butter is healthier than regular butter, but that is because whipped butter contains less butter than regular ones. Find out where you can use the milk solids from clarified butter here.
Final Verdict
Whipped butter is healthier because it contains less butter and tastes better than regular butter, but regular butter’s versatility makes it a better butter.
Whipped butter is just regular butter that is whipped to increase the volume but you can make whipped butter out of regular butter if the recipe calls for it.
Whipped butter contains air, so the increased volume makes it lighter, fluffier, and easier to spread.
Since regular butter is cheaper and multi-purpose, getting regular butter is more cost-effective and wise.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/butter
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-whipped-butter-427820
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