Using almond butter in place of regular butter is a popular substitution in baking for those looking to make recipes dairy-free or nut-free. Almond butter can be used in most cookie recipes calling for butter, but there are some important differences to keep in mind.
The Short Answer
Yes, you can generally substitute almond butter for butter in cookie recipes. The flavor will be nuttier and the texture may differ slightly, but almond butter cookies can be just as delicious. Reduce any other liquids in the recipe slightly to account for the extra moisture in almond butter.
Almond Butter vs. Butter in Baking
Butter and almond butter have some key differences that affect baked goods:
- Butter is 100% fat, while almond butter contains fat as well as protein, fiber, and some moisture.
- Butter has a rich, creamy flavor, while almond butter tastes distinctly nutty.
- Butter’s water content can create steam to help cookies rise. Almond butter recipes may need an extra leavener.
- Butter is softer at room temperature. Almond butter is thicker and dense.
These differences mean you cannot swap the two 1:1 without adjusting the other ingredients. But with some tweaking, almond butter can create great tasting cookies.
Fat Content
Butter is 100% fat, while almond butter provides some protein and carbs. For every 1 cup butter, substitute 3/4 cup almond butter and 1/4 cup neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. This accounts for the lower fat percentage.
Moisture Content
Almond butter contains more moisture than butter. Too much moisture can make cookies spread too much or end up underdone. Reduce any other liquid ingredients by a couple tablespoons to account for almond butter’s added moisture.
Density and Texture
Almond butter is denser and thicker than soft butter. This can slightly change the texture of baked goods. Expect cookies to be a bit more dense and chewy. The almond pieces in almond butter may also create a slightly coarser texture.
Flavor
The nutty flavor of almond butter comes through in cookies made with it. It pairs especially well with flavors like oats, chocolate, coconut, honey, and cinnamon.
Substitution Ratio
For every 1 cup of butter called for, use:
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup neutral oil (like vegetable, canola, etc.)
Reduce any other liquids in the recipe by 2-3 tablespoons to account for the extra moisture in the almond butter.
So for example, if a cookie recipe calls for:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
You would use:
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla (reduced by 1/2 tsp)
- 2 cups flour
Tips for Almond Butter Cookies
Follow these tips for the best results when making almond butter cookies:
- Use unsalted almond butter so you can control the salt level.
- Stir the almond butter before measuring to incorporate any oil.
- Slightly underbake the cookies to prevent dryness from the almond butter.
- Let cookie dough chill for at least 2 hours for the best handling.
- Consider adding a bit of extra leavener like baking powder to help lift the denser dough.
- Pair almond butter with flavors like cinnamon, coconut, chocolate, honey, raisins, or oats.
Choosing an Almond Butter
Look for:
- Creamy or crunchy almond butter
- Unsalted to control salt amount
- No added oils or sugars
- Ingredients: almonds only
Avoid “natural” nut butters with palm oil or soybean oil added. Stir oil separation back in before measuring.
Sample Almond Butter Cookie Recipes
Try these delicious almond butter cookie recipes.
Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are a nutty take on classic chocolate chip cookies.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Almond butter | 3/4 cup |
| Neutral oil | 1/4 cup |
| Brown sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Eggs | 1 |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Baking soda | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
| Chocolate chips | 1 cup |
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, beat together almond butter, oil, sugars, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Oats give these cookies lots of hearty texture.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Almond butter | 3/4 cup |
| Neutral oil | 1/4 cup |
| Brown sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Honey | 1/4 cup |
| Eggs | 1 |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Oats | 1 1/2 cups |
| Baking soda | 1/2 tsp |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, beat together almond butter, oil, brown sugar, honey, egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.
- Scoop dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Almond Butter Coconut Cookies
Shredded coconut gives these cookies tropical flavor.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Almond butter | 3/4 cup |
| Coconut oil | 1/4 cup |
| Brown sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 2 Tbsp |
| Eggs | 1 |
| Vanilla | 2 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/4 cups |
| Baking soda | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
| Shredded coconut | 1 cup |
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, beat together almond butter, coconut oil, sugars, egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined. Fold in shredded coconut.
- Roll dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use crunchy almond butter?
Yes, crunchy almond butter with almond pieces can be used. It will give the cookies some extra texture and nutty flavor.
Do I need to make any other changes to the recipe?
Aside from the substitution ratio and liquid reduction, you may want to add a touch more leavener like baking soda or baking powder to help lift the denser almond butter dough. An extra 1/4 teaspoon should do it.
Will almond butter cookies taste the same as regular butter cookies?
Almond butter cookies will have a distinct nutty flavor that regular butter cookies do not have. The texture may also be a bit denser and chewier. But they can still be just as delicious!
Can I use another nut butter instead?
You can substitute another nut butter like cashew or peanut butter using the same ratio. The flavor will be a bit different depending on the nut butter. Peanut butter in particular has a much stronger flavor.
Is the cookie dough safe to eat raw with almond butter?
There are still raw eggs present in almond butter cookie dough, so there is a salmonella risk if dough or batter is consumed raw or underbaked. It’s best to fully bake cookies to be safe.
The Bottom Line
With a few simple ingredient adjustments, almond butter can substituted for butter in most cookie recipes. The resulting cookies have delicious nutty flavor with a chewy, dense texture. Reduce liquids slightly to account for almond butter’s extra moisture. Add a touch more leavener to help lift the dough. Then bake almond butter cookies 1-2 minutes less than normal to prevent dryness. With a little tweaking, almond butter cookies can be just as tasty as traditional butter versions.