Can I use fake Lurpak spreadable for buttercream?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

I got a shiny new stand mixer as a surprise from DH on Friday and I'm itching to use it, I have everything I need to whip up some cupcakes except butter! I only have 100g of unsalted butter which isn't enough to make the frosting. I do however, have a brand new tub of Aldi Norpak. Can I use that or will it be gross? Should I use both butters together?

I wouldn’t use a spreadable butter for buttercream icing. It’s not got the right consistency for the thickness you need for buttercream.

You could use it, either together with the butter or by itself. Just make sure both a nice and soft. IMO it does not taste anywhere near as nice as with butter but should be satisfactory. Add some vanilla extract at the end if you can :)

Seems a bit weird if it’s salty!

Yes, it'll be fine.
For a while Lurpak did a baking version, but it seems to have been discontinued.

Generally those spreads are better than hard butter for doing an 'all in one' mix, no need to cream these softer fats first.

If you're used to the taste of cakes using butter then add vanilla or make a lemon or chocolate cake, I'd certainly add flavour like this if you use it for buttercream-type icing.

Enjoy your baking and your cakes!

I’ve done it, It’ll be ok but not as nice as it should be. I say pop out and get more butter :)

What about norpak for the cakes and butter for the icing as you'll taste it more there?

Aldi spreadable butter tastes lovely! But I'm not sure it's the right consistency as it won't 'set' hard like a block of butter so it may be a bit too soft.

Absolutely fine as long as not too soft.

The oil in it will make the buttercream likely to go too soft if it's in a warm place.

@Snoopfroggyfrogg

What about norpak for the cakes and butter for the icing as you'll taste it more there?

I agree, the spreadable will work better in the cake, it will be too soft for buttercream.

@Snoopfroggyfrogg

What about norpak for the cakes and butter for the icing as you'll taste it more there?

Because I use Stork for the cakes, Stork does not make nice buttercream 🤢

I don’t think using a spread will work for buttercream. Make coffee or lemon glacé (water) icing instead, much nicer.

Just realised my Norpak is the salty one, not the unsalted one I think I'll scrap that idea. I'll just have to ice them later on when DH is back home with the car.

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickens

Just realised my Norpak is the salty one, not the unsalted one I think I'll scrap that idea. I'll just have to ice them later on when DH is back home with the car.

I've used that before for buttercream. It's fine.

I use whatever I have in the fridge have often used spreadable for butter icing but use less of the spreadable sometimes with a few drops of water. I’ve used lightly salted it’s been fine IMO the sweetness of the icing sugar comes through

I always add salt to my buttercream to cut the sweetness

I've used it and it's fine. I usually add a couple of drops of vanilla essence. Yummy 😋

I’ve used the Lidl version (Danpak?) many times for buttercream with no issues - you can always add a little more icing sugar for the consistency

@PinkPlantCase

Seems a bit weird if it’s salty!

I always use salted butter for baking and icing!

100g of butter, 200g icing sugar (20g cocoa) vanilla extract and 50ml ish of evaporated milk should make a decent amount of icing.
Ad yes, I'd use salted butter.

So I creamed the butter until it turned white, went to get the brand new box of icing sugar I thought I had... and it's almost empty. I could have sworn I had a new box 🤦🏼‍♀️ FFS