Parkay is basically margarine that’s produced and offered by ConAgra Foods. It has been around since 1937 and has become a staple in various households. It is available in squeezable, sprayable, and spreadable forms, which makes it easier for users to find the desired form of margarine. It is made with different food additives and hydrogenated vegetable oil. However, if you cannot find margarine, we are sharing a few substitutes with you!
Parkay Substitutes
- Butter
Butter is one of the most convenient substitutes that can be tried to replace margarine. It’s a dairy product just like margarine as it is made from cream or churned milk. However, you need to keep in mind that butter is not a reliable or safe substitute for lactose-intolerant and vegan people. As far as the application is concerned, butter can be used to replace margarine in cakes, cookies, and other baked recipes that need something soft and buttery. However, the butter might be more expensive when compared to Parkay, so that’s one drawback.
- Lard
This is the semi-solid fat, which is available in white color and is produced by rendering the pig’s fatty tissue. It tends to have a higher percentage of monounsaturated fats, which makes it suitable for people with heart issues. In addition, it has 20% less saturated fats as compared to Parkay and has oleic acid. Lard has a neutral flavor and can be used in baking recipes to create a light and rich flavor. However, you must not use lard if you are vegan or vegetarian.
- Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is made with a combination of cream, milk, and stabilizers like carrageenan and carob bean gum. The cream cheese is readily available at grocery stores and supermarkets but you can make it at home as well by mixing milk, cream, salt, vinegar, or lemon juice, and you can even add some spices and herbs to add flavor. You can use the 1:1 substitution ratio while using cream cheese. The cakes and cookies made with cream cheese instead of margarine will have a fluffy and rich flavor that melts in the mouth. In addition to sweet baking recipes, you can also flavor it with fresh parsley, paprika, and garlic in case of savory recipes.
- Olive Oil
If you want to bake while keeping it healthy, you can opt for olive oil – it is a great way of making healthy cookies and cakes. It has an abundance of monounsaturated fats, oleic acid, as well as antioxidants, which makes it a healthy option. You need to remember that olive oil has a stronger flavor, which is why it’s recommended that you use it for bread and biscuits. However, it cannot be used in cookies and cakes because you won’t like the olive-like flavor in sweet recipes. As far as savory recipes are concerned, you can follow a 3:4 substitution ratio. Last but not least, you must remember that it gets hard if stored in the refrigerator.
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce
As the name suggests, this sauce is made from apples and has lower sodium and fat content. It is available in sweet as well as unsweetened forms but it’s recommended that you use the unsweetened form to replace margarine. It can be used to lower the calorie and fat content in baking recipes. As far as the sauce is concerned, it has a soft texture, which makes it suitable for baking bread, brownies, muffins, and cakes.
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- Coconut Oil
This is a suitable substitute for Parkay or margarine as it has the capacity to achieve a solid texture at room temperature. However, you must opt for refined coconut oil, or else it will have a strong coconut flavor. The refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor, which is why it can be used in muffins, cakes, and cookies. However, it’s not a very healthy choice since it has a high percentage of saturated fats.
- Cocoa Butter
The last substitute for Parkay is cocoa butter, and contrary to usual belief, this is a healthy alternative because it has an abundance of polyphenols and antioxidants. The best thing about cocoa butter is that it’s perfect for savory as well as sweet recipes as it adds a creamy texture to the recipe. Lastly, it’s recommended that you opt for melted cocoa butter.