Why Chefs Are Swapping Butter
for Olive Oil in Baking—And You Should Too

Butter may be a baking classic, but lately, chefs and home bakers alike are turning to a new secret ingredient: extra virgin olive oil. From rich chocolate cakes to flaky pastries and perfectly moist muffins, olive oil is showing up in recipes where butter used to reign. So what’s behind the shift?

At Bodacious, we’ve always believed olive oil is more than just a finishing drizzle—it’s a baking essential. And if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time.

1. Better Texture, Naturally Moist

Olive oil creates an incredibly tender crumb. It coats flour proteins better than butter, resulting in baked goods that stay moist longer. No more dry banana bread or day-old muffins that feel like hockey pucks.

Whether you’re baking a zesty lemon loaf or a dense chocolate torte, Bodacious EVOO adds a silky texture that keeps your bakes fresh and luscious for days.

2. Heart-Healthier Fats

Swapping butter for olive oil isn’t just a culinary upgrade—it’s a nutritional one. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants like polyphenols, which support heart health and fight inflammation.

So yes, that olive oil chocolate cake? It’s practically a wellness decision.

3. Subtle Flavor That Enhances, Not Overpowers

Worried your dessert will taste like a salad? Don’t be. High-quality olive oil, like our Bodacious Arbequina or Lemon Agrumato, offers a light, fruity flavor that blends seamlessly into batters and doughs.

Use Lemon Agrumato in lemon cookies, muffins, or pound cakes to dial up citrus notes naturally. Or try Mushroom & Sage in a savory quick bread for a show-stopping brunch loaf.

4. It’s Just Easier

Unlike butter, olive oil doesn’t need to be softened, melted, or creamed. It’s ready to go straight from the bottle. For busy bakers or last-minute dessert emergencies (hey, we’ve all been there), that’s a huge win.

5. How to Make the Swap

It’s easy: use ¾ the amount of olive oil in place of butter. So, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use ¾ cup of olive oil. If you’re baking something that needs to hold a solid shape—like cutout cookies—you may still want to keep some butter. But for cakes, brownies, muffins, and loaves, olive oil works beautifully.

Ready to Bake Boldly?

Stock your pantry with Bodacious EVOOs and get inspired to bake outside the box. Your desserts will thank you—with richer texture, deeper flavor, and a health boost that doesn’t compromise on indulgence.

It’s time to butter up your bakes… with olive oil.

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