Where Butter shines
- Cookies and cakes that depend on creaming for lift and texture.
- Pastry and laminated dough where cold fat creates layers.
- Frostings, sauces, and desserts where butter flavor matters as much as texture.
Churned cream containing about 80% fat, 15% water, and 5% milk solids.
Butter does more than add richness. Its water, milk solids, and melt behavior drive spread, flake, browning, and flavor, which is why butter swaps rarely behave exactly the same.
Properties
Density Index
0.91 g/cm3
1 Cup Weight
227g
Texture
Solid/Liquid
Category
Dairy
Top Substitute
Coconut Oil
Use 1:1 by weight
Similar solid/melted behaviour. Adds subtle coconut flavour. Works well in cookies and quick breads.
Most-used links for Butter
What to watch
- Softened, cold, and melted butter are not interchangeable in baking.
- Salted versus unsalted butter changes seasoning and sometimes water balance.
- A butter substitute may match fat, but not the milk solids that drive flavor and browning.
Conversions
| cups | grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cups | 53.9 grams |
| 1/3 cups | 71.1 grams |
| 1/2 cups | 108 grams |
| 1 cups | 216 grams |
| 1.50 cups | 323 grams |
| 2 cups | 431 grams |
| 3 cups | 647 grams |
| 4 cups | 862 grams |
Density: 0.911 g/ml
Quick Convert
Ingredient-specific, density-based conversions for baking
216
gramsIngredient-specific · density-based
Density-specific references, not generic cup charts · NIST-DB-72
Recommended Tools & Pantry Picks for Butter
Optional shopping references for bakers who want to compare tools and pantry options related to butter.
Digital Kitchen Scale
Essential for cup-to-gram accuracy and repeatable bakes.
Shop scales ↗Measuring Cup & Spoon Set
Useful for quick volume checks before converting to weight.
Shop measuring sets ↗Disclosure: Some outbound links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, CupOrGram earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Substitutions for Butter
Coconut Oil
good1:1 by weight
Similar solid/melted behaviour. Adds subtle coconut flavour. Works well in cookies and quick breads.
Similar solid/melted behaviour. Adds subtle coconut flavour. Works well in cookies and quick breads.
Ghee
goodUse slightly less (7/8 ratio) since ghee is 100% fat
No milk solids or water. Richer flavour. Won't create the same steam lift in pastry.
No milk solids or water. Richer flavour. Won't create the same steam lift in pastry.
Applesauce
moderate1:1 (reduces fat significantly)
For low-fat baking. Changes texture significantly. Works best in muffins and quick breads.
For low-fat baking. Changes texture significantly. Works best in muffins and quick breads.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate for 1-2 months. Freeze for up to 6 months. Keep wrapped to prevent odour absorption.
Baking Science
Creates flaky layers in pastry (solid fat between dough layers). The water turns to steam in the oven, creating lift. Milk solids contribute to browning and flavour.
Recipe Notes
Cookies
Butter temperature strongly affects spread. Soft butter creams with sugar, while melted butter creates a denser, chewier cookie.
Pastry
Cold butter gives steam and layers. Once it melts too early, flake and lift drop off quickly.
Cakes
Butter adds flavor and structure in creamed cakes, but under-creaming can leave the crumb heavy.
Common Pitfalls
- Switching brands without re-checking weight can change texture and bake time.
- Using volume-only measurements for dense ingredients can overshoot recipe targets.
- Butter and dairy temperature affects emulsion stability and spread.
Brand Variance & Measuring Method
Baseline reference: 1 cup butter = 227g. In real kitchens, a practical range is usually 213g-241g per cup (6% band).
Why this happens: temperature and fat phase (solid vs softened vs melted) change effective volume.
Common Questions
How many grams are in 1 cup of butter?
On CupOrGram, 1 cup of butter is treated as 227 grams.
Can I replace butter with oil?
Sometimes, but the result changes. Oil stays liquid, so it affects structure, browning, and mouthfeel differently from butter.
Why do recipes specify softened butter?
Softened butter creams with sugar and traps air. That helps cakes and cookies rise and bake more evenly.
How many grams is 1 cup of butter?
1 cup of butter weighs 227 grams.