How to Use Shea Butter in Baking

Have you ever considered that the secret to levelling up your baking might just be the one thing sitting in your bathroom cupboard? While most of us are likely to select a body cream or soap with the words ‘shea butter’ on the front, few realise that it’s actually a powerful, plant-based fat that can also be used in cooking.  

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to use shea butter in baking, you’re in the right place - and the answer is simple. You can substitute it for traditional fats like butter or coconut oil in most recipes, and you’ll find it results in deliciously soft and nutty treats such as cookies, muffins, brownies, pie pastry and more.  

In case you’ve never heard of it, shea butter is a creamy, nutrient-rich vegetable fat that’s extracted from the sun-dried kernels of the shea tree (Vitellaria Paradoxa), native to West Africa (read more about it here). It’s been used in both traditional cooking and skincare for centuries, especially in Ghanaian cuisine, where it’s extremely popular for its rich and distinctive flavour, as well as its smooth texture.

 

There are two main types of shea butter: cosmetic-grade shea butter and food-grade shea butter. While cosmetic-grade shea butter might be the more well-known one, with the likes of Clarins, Aveeno and Caudalie all using it in its products (Clarins calls shea butter ‘one of the most multi-tasking ingredients on the beauty block’), both types of shea butter actually come from the same tree - the differences occur in the processing.

 Food-grade shea butter is carefully processed under hygienic, edible conditions, retaining its natural properties without the addition of chemicals or preservatives. It must be raw, unrefined and certified safe for consumption. It’s our mission to produce 100% organic grade A Shea nut Butter - and Star Shea’s shea butter is safe for consumption, and is produced using methods that preserve its full nutritional profile. Therefore, making it ideal for cooking and baking, or as a plant-based alternative to animal fats.

What are the benefits of using shea butter in baking? 

Using shea butter for baking not only enhances both flavour and texture, but also offers nutritional and ethical benefits. As a vegan-friendly fat, shea butter delivers a subtle nutty (one that some people also describe as smoky) taste, and a mildly sweet texture to treats like cakes, cookies and pastries. Health-wise, shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids like oleic, stearic, linoleic and palmitic acids, and can help support heart and skin health. It contains valuable vitamins too, like vitamin A (which has been linked to immune function and vision) and vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant that supports skin and cellular health).  

Aside from the nutritional benefits, Star Shea’s shea butter also carries meaningful ethical and environmental benefits. Our shea butter is sourced from female-led cooperatives based in Champe, the Savannah Region of Tamale in Northern Ghana, that follow traditional and eco-friendly production methods. By supporting Star Shea’s shea butter, you’re not only receiving a product that’s made to the highest quality, but you’re also helping to improve the independence of women in these communities - a win-win, if you were to ask us.

Is shea butter a suitable dairy-free substitute in baking?

The short answer is, yes, shea butter does make for an excellent dairy-free substitute in baking - and it’s much more versatile than you might realise. shea butter is renowned for its smooth, buttery texture and nutty flavour, and it works incredibly well as a replacement for butter or margarine. Whether you’re planning on baking cookies, cakes, pastries or a pie, shea butter has that rich taste without any dairy at all. It’s especially beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant or avoid dairy for other health reasons, as it’s completely plant-based and free from those common allergens. Plus, if you want to bake vegan sweet treats, shea butter makes for a perfect fit, because it’s plant-based and comes from the nut of a shea tree - thus, it’s without any animal products involved. 

How to use shea butter in baking 

So the question that’s now probably on your mind is, well, how do I get started with shea butter for baking? It’s actually a lot easier to use shea butter in baking than you might think, as it doesn’t require loads of product, nor do you have to substitute out other ingredients to make it work. 

The very first thing you need to use before using shea butter for baking is to make sure you’re using food-grade shea butter, of course, if you’ve got it from Star Shea, it is. You can use shea butter pretty much like any other solid fat, such as butter, margarine or coconut oil. In most recipes, it can be substituted like-for-like, which means that if your recipe requires 100g of butter, you can simply swap it out for 100g of shea butter instead. As another handy tip, our Star Shea recipes (find them here) are written with shea butter quantities in the ingredients. 

 When baking cakes, muffins or loaf bakes, it’s best to gently melt the shea butter in the microwave or soften it before mixing to ensure a smooth and even batter. For the likes of biscuits and shortcrust pastry, you can rub shea butter in cold, and that way you’ll achieve that perfect crumbly texture. Plus, because of the notorious nutty flavour of shea butter, it pairs well with ingredients like dark chocolate, bananas, spices, nuts and our favourite, Nutella. 

Some of Star Shea’s favourite sweet recipes include our Nutella and tahini buns for those days when you fancy something extra indulgent, and the banana and chocolate loaf, which will take you right back to those lockdown days where everyone you knew was baking banana bread. For those who prefer savoury over sweet, our recipe page is also stocked with simple and delicious meal ideas (find them here).

With a little bit of experimentation and a lot of trial-and-error, you’ll find that shea butter is more than just your average butter; in fact, it’s actually better. 

What should I look for when buying food-grade safe shea butter?

Buying shea butter doesn’t have to be a tricky or complex task. Yes, you need to make sure you’ve got the food-grade safe kind, but that’s why we’ve created our own Organic Vegan Butter, which is specifically made with the finest ingredients and crafted for culinary use. While weighing up the shea butter options on the market, always look for clear labelling that confirms it’s safe for human consumption - essentially, you want to see buzzwords like ‘food-grade’, ‘Grade A’ or ‘organic.’ shea butter should also be free from additives and preservatives, and should tick four key boxes. 

1. Texture. Food-grade shea butter should be smooth and creamy, although don’t worry too much about this, as some graininess is natural.
2. Colour, which can range from light yellow to pale ivory, and can even sometimes come with a greenish or grey tint. The key here is to avoid any kind of shea butter that looks like a consistent bright yellow colour, as it might have been dyed (you definitely wouldn’t want to eat this).
3. Scent. shea butter usually has a naturally mild, nutty aroma - stay away from it if it has a sour or unpleasant smell as that may mean it’s past its shelf life and should be discarded.
4. Finally, you’re going to want to make sure that your shea butter is sourced from reputable regions in Africa. Sourcing from the right places, such as Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali not only ensures quality and authenticity, but also helps to support those who have been working with shea butter for generations.

 Ultimately, like anything we eat, we want to know what goes into it, and choosing pure and organic shea butter ensures you’re getting a high-quality fat that retains its nutritional value, and makes for better results. Who doesn’t want that?

 

Of course, when investing in shea butter, you’re going to want to make sure you’re storing it properly to prevent disaster from striking - and so the butter you’ve spent all this time researching and sourcing doesn’t go off. Keep your shea butter in an airtight container, preferably in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat - a pantry or cupboard will work perfectly. Alternatively, you can put your shea butter in the fridge, although it can cause it to harden. All you’ll have to do then is allow the butter to heat to room temperature before using it in your baking.  

We’ll be the first to admit that getting out your block of shea butter when you’re in the middle of pulling out mixing bowls, spatulas, flour, eggs, sugar, might not come as naturally as heading to the fridge for butter, but it’s a swap that’s worth experimenting with. 

Whether you’re making cookies, cakes, muffins, a banana loaf (or all four), shea butter, with its nutty flavour and creamy texture, adds an indulgent (and often unexpected) twist to your sweet treats. Once you start experimenting with how to use shea butter in baking and make the switch, you’ll ask yourself, ‘Why didn’t I make the change sooner?’ - and don’t be surprised when others ask, ‘What’s your secret?’ as they reach for seconds (or thirds).

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use shea butter in baking?

Shea butter can be used in baking as a substitute for butter or oil. You can add it to biscuit or cake batters for extra richness, incorporate it into icing for a unique flavour, or use it as a 1:1 replacement for butter in many baking recipes.

Is shea butter suitable for all types of baking?

Shea butter is versatile and can be used in various baking applications. However, it's best suited for recipes that benefit from its rich, nutty flavour and creamy texture, such as biscuits, cakes, and pastries. It may not be ideal for recipes that require a neutral-tasting fat.

What are the nutritional benefits of using shea butter in baking?

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids. It can add nutritional value to your baked goods, potentially increasing their antioxidant content and providing healthy fats. However, it should still be used in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Can I use shea butter as a 1:1 replacement for butter in all recipes?

Whilst shea butter can often be used as a 1:1 replacement for butter, it's important to note that it may affect the texture and flavour of your baked goods. It's best to start with small substitutions and adjust as needed. Some recipes may require additional tweaks to achieve the desired result.

How do I store shea butter for baking purposes?

To maintain its quality for baking, store shea butter in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It can be kept at room temperature for several months, but refrigeration can extend its shelf life. Always check for any signs of rancidity before use, such as an off smell or unusual colour.