Erica asks: Does it make any difference if I use salted butter when it says unsalted? Is it just a flavor thing? My husband picked up the wrong kind, and I’d like to just use what I’ve got if it won’t ruin everything!
Baking S.O.S says: It is preferable to use unsalted butter in baked goods because recipes almost always call for salt in the ingredients. Using salted butter could make the product taste TOO salty.
But in answer to your question, you CAN substitute salted butter in place of unsalted butter. To account for the added salt in the butter, try omitting or reducing the amount of salt called for in the recipe. It should turn out just fine.
I love butter but unfortunately its hard on my digestion. Personally, I use a new butter substitute that just came out – called “Melt” – which is organic, high in Omega 3s, rich in medium chain fatty acids (the good fats) – and has the creamiest, richest flavor of all the spreads out there (its definitely better than Smart Balance or I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter). It bakes up quite well – I have made thin, flaky pie crust using Melt instead of butter with great success. It makes a softer dough (so chill in the fridge/ freezer before rolling), but otherwise bakes up nicely. It also has fewer calories than butter.
Can I mix salted and unsalted butter when baking?
Yes, you can, but keep in mind that using salted butter will affect the overall saltiness of your recipe. So if the recipe calls for adding salt, you may want to cut back on the amount of salt you use so that it does not become TOO salty when using salted butter.
if it tastes good eat it