Dear Kosterina Family,
Who doesn’t love when the house smells like warm chocolate chip cookies or Saturday morning muffins? Baking is a beloved pastime, but it often involves using ingredients like butter or other oils (think seed oils: yikes!) that can be inflammatory and add unnecessary calories and unhealthy fats. What if our favorite sweets and treats were “healthified” and we could eat them guilt free and feel better while we do it? Swapping in olive oil to most of your favorite recipes is not only a healthier alternative to butter or other inflammatory oils but it also enhances the flavor and texture of your baked goods. It’s a true game changer! So let’s dive into why and how you can and should make the switch.
The Health Benefits of Olive Oil
You know we go on and on about olive oil’s health benefits. It’s our raison d’etre. Rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, it supports heart health, helps reduce bad cholesterol, and may even aid in weight management. Using olive oil in your baking enhances the nutritional value - kicking it up a notch.
How to Make the Swap
Replacing butter or other oils with olive oil in your baking is simple and effective. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:
- Butter to Olive Oil: Use 3/4 cup of olive oil for every 1 cup of butter. This swap works particularly well in cakes, muffins, and quick breads.
- Vegetable/Seed Oil to Olive Oil: Substitute in a 1:1 ratio. Olive oil’s subtle flavor enhances brownies, cookies, and other desserts without overpowering them.
Tips for Baking with Olive Oil
- Choose the Right Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil has a stronger flavor and is perfect for savory baked goods or recipes where a more pronounced taste is desirable. A high quality olive oil can actually amplify and augment the flavor of whatever you are cooking or baking in the most amazing way. Our Organic Everyday EVOO has a more mild flavor than our Original EVOO and we recommend it for baking!
- Adjust Baking Times: Baked goods made with olive oil might brown faster. Keep an eye on them and consider lowering the oven temperature by 25°F to prevent over-browning.
- Experiment with Flavors: Olive oil pairs beautifully with flavors like citrus, chocolate, nuts, and spices. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect match.
Delicious Recipes to Try
Made with the best Kosterina EVOO of course!
- Chocolate Olive Oil Cake: The olive oil adds a rich, moist texture and deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Lemon Blueberry Olive Oil Snacking Cake: Bright, zesty, and wonderfully moist, this cake is a favorite as an after school snack.
- Olive Oil Brownies: Dense, fudgy, and with a hint of fruitiness from the olive oil, these brownies are irresistible.
Making the swap to extra virgin olive oil in your baking will make your favorite treats healthier and is fantastic alternative to traditional baking fats. Give it a try in your next baking adventure and enjoy the delicious and nutritious results!
Peace, Love, & EVOO,
Katina and The Kosterina Team
