The FastDay Forum

Do you think coconut oil measures the same whether it is liquid or solid? I am trying to avoid any more trips to the store for sticks of butter if possible. So, I wanted to substitute coconut oil for part of the butter in a recipe. I have done this before when it was hotter and liquid. Now that is colder and solid at room temperature, do you think it should be melted and then added? Or, would 1/4 cup solid CO be equal to 1/4 cup liquid CO??

[carorees]

I'd say melted because it's easier to measure and because it might weigh slightly less (because butter contains more water and non fat elements than coconut oil you probably don't need quite so much coconut oil).

I use half coconut oil half butter (by weight) in cake making with no problems.

[list=][/list]I eyeball it. But if you don't want to melt it, you can get a glass measuring cup, say for instance a 2 cup one. Fill to 1 and half cups with cold water, then add coconut oil until it reaches the 2 cup line, if you need 1/2 cup. Pour off cold water...much easier than packing in and then scraping it out. This is how I use to measure shortening when I used it...not any longer of course.

Thanks guys! I did end up melting it first; but then letting it cool off a little before adding it to the mixing bowl. I didn't want it to cook the eggs before they got mixed into the batter. Everything I have ever made and subbed in coconut oil has turned out to be better for it, so I am pretty sure all will be fine.