When it comes to cooking and baking, butter is often one of the most important ingredients. But how many calories are in 2 tablespoons of butter? That depends on the type of butter you are using.
Types of Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning cream or milk until it separates into solid and liquid components. It contains fat, water, and protein. Depending on the type of butter, there are different amounts of calories in it.
Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter is the most common type of butter used in cooking and baking. It has a creamy white to pale yellow color and a rich, creamy texture. Unsalted butter typically contains about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Salted Butter
Salted butter is butter that has had salt added to it for flavor. It has a slightly darker color than unsalted butter and a slightly saltier flavor. Salted butter typically contains about 113 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Clarified Butter
Clarified butter is butter that has been melted and then had the water and milk solids removed. It has a yellowish-golden color and a much higher smoke point than regular butter. Clarified butter typically contains about 120 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Whipped Butter
Whipped butter is butter that has been whipped with air to make it lighter and fluffier. It has a pale yellow color and a light, creamy texture. Whipped butter typically contains about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Calories in Butter Substitutes
There are several low-calorie alternatives to butter that you can use if you are trying to reduce the calories in your recipes.
Margarine
Margarine is a butter alternative made from oils and other plant-based ingredients. It has a light yellow color and a rich, creamy texture. Margarine typically contains about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Non-Dairy Butters
Non-dairy butters are dairy-free butter substitutes made from nuts, seeds, or plant-based ingredients. They have a pale yellow to light brown color and a creamy texture. Non-dairy butters typically contain about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Applesauce
Applesauce is a fruit-based butter alternative that is made from pureed apples. It has a light brown color and a thick, creamy texture. Applesauce typically contains about 25 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Banana Puree
Banana puree is a fruit-based butter alternative that is made from pureed bananas. It has a pale yellow color and a thick, creamy texture. Banana puree typically contains about 25 calories per 2 tablespoons.
How Much Butter Is Too Much?
Butter is high in calories and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams per day. 2 tablespoons of butter contains about 16 grams of saturated fat, so it is best to limit your intake to no more than 2 tablespoons per day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the amount of calories in 2 tablespoons of butter depends on the type of butter you are using. Unsalted butter typically contains about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons, salted butter typically contains about 113 calories per 2 tablespoons, clarified butter typically contains about 120 calories per 2 tablespoons, and whipped butter typically contains about 102 calories per 2 tablespoons. There are several low-calorie alternatives to butter that you can use if you are trying to reduce the calories in your recipes. Margarine, non-dairy butters, applesauce, and banana puree are all good options. However, butter is high in calories and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams per day, so it is best to limit your intake to no more than 2 tablespoons of butter per day.