The Ultimate Guide to Butter Types (And When to Use Each One)

Choosing the right butter can make a big difference in how your food tastes and cooks. Whether you are baking a cake, frying vegetables or spreading it on toast, not all butters are the same. 

Some are richer, some are creamier and others hold up better to heat. This guide helps you choose the best type of butter based on how you plan to use it in your kitchen. From pastries to frying pans, here is how to use each one properly.

Here is everything you need to know about when to use each kind of butter.

Unsalted Butter for Baking Cakes and Biscuits

When baking cakes, biscuits or any sweet treat, unsalted butter is usually the best option. 

Since it has no added salt, it allows you to control how much salt goes into your recipe. Most UK recipes are written with unsalted butter in mind, which helps make sure the taste is balanced. 

It also gives a smoother and lighter texture, which is important in sponge cakes and buttercream. Look for sweet cream butter on the label, as this means it is made from fresh cream rather than fermented cream.

Bringing the butter to room temperature before mixing makes a big difference in how well it blends.

Irish Butter for Flaky Pastry and Pies

For making puff pastry, shortcrust or pie crusts, a higher butterfat content gives better results. 

European and Irish butters have about 82 percent fat, compared to around 80 percent in standard UK butters. This extra fat helps the pastry stay flaky, crisp and full of flavour. 

Irish brands like Kerrygold are known for their golden colour and rich taste, which comes from cows that eat grass full of natural beta carotene. The deeper colour also gives your pastry a lovely finish.

Using cold butter in pastry is important to keep the layers separate and flaky.

Clarified Butter for Frying and High Heat Cooking

When cooking at higher temperatures, clarified butter is a great choice. It is made by gently heating butter to remove the water and milk solids, leaving behind pure butterfat. This gives it a much higher smoke point, so it is less likely to burn. 

Ghee, a type of clarified butter used in Indian cooking, is now easy to find in most UK supermarkets. It has a light nutty flavour and is perfect for frying meat, roasting vegetables or cooking eggs. Clarified butter also lasts longer in the cupboard than regular butter because it contains no moisture.

Salted Butter for Spreading on Toast and Bread

For spreading on toast, crumpets or fresh bread, salted butter is often the most popular choice. It brings out the flavour in both the butter and the bread. 

If you want something with a bit more character, try cultured butter, which is made with fermented cream and has a slightly tangy taste. 

Hand rolled butter is also an option if you prefer a more traditional texture and richer flavour. These kinds of butter are especially good on simple foods where you can really taste the difference.

Salted butter keeps longer than unsalted, making it useful to have in the fridge for daily use.

A Healthier Butter Option for Everyday Meals

If you are looking for a more nutritious option, grass fed butter is worth considering. It is made from the milk of cows that eat mostly grass rather than grain. This kind of butter has more omega-3 fats and fat soluble vitamins like A and D. 

Many people believe it also tastes better and has a deeper yellow colour due to the natural diet of the cows. 

Brands like Kerrygold and Yeo Valley are known for using milk from grass fed cows in their products. Remember that butter is still high in saturated fat, so enjoy it in sensible amounts.

Why Light Butter Is Not Good for Baking

Although light butter may sound like a good idea, it is not suitable for baking. It contains more water and air, which means it does not have enough fat to support the texture of cakes or biscuits. 

Using it in baking can lead to flat, soggy or rubbery results. Light butter may work well as a spread for toast or sandwiches, but if your recipe depends on butter for structure or flavour, it is best to use the real thing.

Even if you want to cut down on fat, using a small amount of proper butter is better than a lot of light butter.

Should You Choose Salted or Unsalted Butter?

The choice between salted and unsalted butter depends on what you are making. 

Unsalted is best for baking because it gives you full control over the salt levels. Salted is perfect for cooking and spreading, as it adds extra flavour. The amount of salt can vary between brands, so if you switch between types, be prepared to adjust your recipe slightly. 

If you accidentally use salted butter in a cake recipe, reduce the added salt to avoid an overpowering taste.

Share This Butter Guide With Friends Who Love to Cook!

This helpful breakdown of butter types is perfect for anyone looking to make better choices in the kitchen. Post it on social media to show others how to pick the right butter for every recipe!

SEE ALSO: Can You Put Butter In An Air Fryer? (read this first)

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