The Best Butters to Bake With, According to These Home Bakers

“Smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover”… as true as the words of Kpop group BTS in their chart-topping hit song ‘Butter’. But the best butter to bake with? That, my friends, is a far more hidden undercover operation.  You can try and ask any seasoned baker what their favourite butter is and you’ll most likely get a coy smile from them and a swift change of subject. That is because once the word’s out, that one perfect block of butter that they cherish could suddenly disappear off the shelves and reappear with an increased price tag. It’s already bad enough that the exchange rate has been inflating the prices of these butters anyway. So, what’s the deal with butter for baking? If you’re new to baking, you might be wondering: isn’t butter just… butter? Not quite. In baking, butter isn’t considered a regular “step one” ingredient, rather, it’s the ingredient that can make or break your biscuits, improve the texture of your cakes, or completely flatten your pie crust (literally). Some are all fat, no flavour. Some are so full of water that your puff pastry ends up puffless. And you know that in Nigeria, we love a good meat pie, chin chin, or cake, and the goodness of these snacks lies in the butter used. From its fat content to it being salted, cultured, or sweet cream, the butter you choose affects the flavour, texture, flakiness, and rise of your baked goods.So, which ones are actually worth your money? Let’s break down a few essential butter terms before we take a look at the best butters to bake with, home and abroad.  Quick Butter 101: What Do All These Terms Mean? Before we get into the buttery goodness, let’s decode a few commonly used terms you’ll see on packaging:European-style vs. American-style: European butters have a higher butterfat content (usually 82% or more) compared to American ones (around 80%). That extra fat means it has a richer flavour, silkier texture, and less water, which is perfect for tender pastries.Cultured vs. Sweet Cream: Cultured butter is made from fermented cream, which is what gives it its tangy, complex flavour. Sweet cream butter is made from fresh, pasteurised cream and has a more neutral, creamy taste.Salted vs. Unsalted: Salted butter can be great for spreading, but for baking, unsalted is generally preferred. It gives you full control over the salt content in your recipes.Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed: Butter from grass-fed cows often has a brighter yellow colour and a more pronounced, slightly grassy flavour due to the cows’ diet. Now, on to the good stuff. Below, I’ve rounded up the best butters to bake with based on flavour, texture, and versatility.  1. Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter (Unsalted & Salted) If you see this gold-wrapped beauty at Shoprite or Ebeano, pick it up and don’t think twice. This butter is premium and slightly pricier, but bakers who use it note its richness and depth, which it adds to everything from red velvet cakes to cookies. It’s made from grass-fed cows in Ireland and has a high butterfat content (about 82%), which means it’ll help you get fluffier cakes, better rise, and a richer taste. You can use it to make shortbread, sponge cakes, and croissants. It’s also spreadable straight from the fridge, so you don’t have to wrestle with a knife. You can use the unsalted version for baking and the salted version for bread and toast. Price: $3.99. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon. 2. Isigny Ste Mère Butter (Salted & Unsalted) Fancy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. This French butter is the closest you’ll get to eating butter like a Michelin-starred chef. With its PDO (protected designation of origin) status, Isigny is made from the milk of cows grazing on salt meadows near Normandy. This PDO status requires that it be made using the region’s traditional ingredients and methods. It’s a rich, smooth, and creamy butter that melts quickly after refrigeration. It also features salt flakes or crystals that balance out its creaminess, making you crave more. This butter has impressive packaging, which means it will be quite expensive. While you might want to reserve it for toast or finishing sauces, don’t underestimate its power in baking. It brings a tender, slightly crumbly texture to pies and biscuits and a savoury richness to shortbread. Price: $6.99. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon. RELATED: Honey vs. Sugar: Which One Is Healthier For Daily Use? 3. Cabot Sweet Cream Butter (Unsalted) A favourite among American home bakers and an excellent step up from your basic store brand. Cabot is a sweet cream butter with 80% butterfat, meaning it adds just enough richness without overpowering delicate recipes. Because it contains slightly more water than European butters, it’s brilliant for puffing up pie crusts and cookies. It’s not overly rich, so it plays a background role in recipes that let other ingredients shine like chocolate chip cookies or banana bread. It’s an excellent butter choice if you’re looking for a solid, reasonably priced option for daily baking. Price: $35. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon. 4. Arla Butter (Unsalted) Arla’s cultured butter is a dependable all-rounder with an added boost from fermentation. Made from just two ingredients and sourced from happy European cows, it’s beautifully creamy with a slightly nutty and tangy flavour profile. This butter works well in flaky baked goods and moist cakes. It’s also excellent in savoury dishes or when you need a buttery base for sauces and dips. The higher smoke point makes it a great butter for slightly more intense cooking. My friend, Princess, who’s a baker, recommends it for scones, banana bread, and even on toast (the sandwiches will slap, trust us). Price: ₦10,200. Where To Buy: Shop Shop On Click. 5. President French Butter 6. Lurpak Butter (Unsalted & Slightly Salted) Lurpak is another international brand that frequently appears in Nigerian supermarkets. It’s smooth, slightly tangy, and holds its own in cookies, pastries, and even fondant-covered cakes. RELATED: 5 Coffee Alternatives That Energize and Keep You Alert Without The Jitters 7. Ambassador Butter (Unsalted) Margarine Alternatives