I love to bake and have come across several peanut butter recipes (cakes, cookies, even a multi-layered/multi-component [cake & cheesecake layers] cake) that sound really good. My problem is I don't like baking things I can't eat (a little selfish I know :D), and peanut butter HATES me. I love it, but it makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and die.
Is there anything that behaves the same as peanut butter that I can substitute? I know it will change the flavor drastically and for most recipes it won't be a problem. I know I can use other nut butters, but I'm asking if there are other alternatives. I know Nutella (flavor-wise) can be substituted for most peanut butter baking recipes, but the texture is different so I don't think it behaves exactly the same (especially if I'm trying to make cookies where that would matter more than cake).
What about cookie butter? Would that behave the same as peanut butter (assuming I decrease the sugar required)?
I read Is it possible to subsititute nutella for peanut butter?, but it's very vague with its question.
Best Answer
I'm a professional baker and my daughter is allergic to peanuts and peanut anything is my husband's favorite, so we have had to learn to adjust. I use soy nut butter. It doesn't contain any peanuts or tree nuts or even sesame so it's safe for most allergy sufferers (except soy). To me it tastes more like real peanut butter than sunflower seed butter. The brand I like is called Wow butter and comes in crunchy and creamy varieties. It has a slight aftertaste, but you get used to it if you dont eat PB regularly. You can find it at most health food stores. Another great option if you can eat almonds is Barney butter. It's made purely from almonds in a peanut free facility. It's pretty pricey - almost $9 a jar, but it is delicious and works well in baked goods if you don't mind paying for it. I typically just use this one as a straight substitute in pb&j. Nutella is delicious of course, but not PB flavor. if you do bake with it though be sure to undercook just a bit because it burns more quickly and will turn your treats into little bricks.