What SunButter is and how it differs from peanut butter
SunButter is a brand of sunflower seed butter, made from roasted and ground sunflower seeds. Because it is not made from peanuts or tree nuts, it is widely used in nut-free kitchens, including school lunches. The same idea applies to other sunflower seed butters sold under different names, though the sweetness, saltiness and oil content differ between products, so read the label.
It tastes nutty and slightly earthy rather than exactly like peanut butter, and it can be a little less sweet. For dessert, that usually works well alongside chocolate, oats, banana, honey and cinnamon.
Can SunButter replace peanut butter?
In most dessert recipes, yes, it can be substituted one to one for peanut butter or other nut butters. It is a common swap in cookies, bars, no-bake bites and brownies. A few things to keep in mind:
- Flavor will be different, so a pinch more salt or sweetener can help depending on your taste.
- Texture depends on the brand and whether it is the creamy or natural (more oil separation) type. Stir natural versions well before measuring.
- If a recipe was tested with a very thick, no-stir peanut butter, you may need a little extra flour or oats if the dough is too loose.
If you are baking for someone with a severe allergy, check the label for allergen statements and shared-facility warnings, as practices vary by product.
SunButter dessert ideas
Cookies
Sunflower seed butter cookies are a simple place to start. Many versions use seed butter, sugar (coconut sugar works), an egg and a little oat flour or no flour at all, which also makes them easy to adapt for gluten and dairy free desserts. To make them egg-free, some bakers try a flax egg, but results vary, so test a small batch first.
No-bake bites and cookies
No-bake cookies are made by warming seed butter with honey or maple syrup and a little oil, stirring in oats, coconut, seeds or cooked grain, and chilling until firm. Chocolate chips folded in at the end give them a candy-bar feel. They are a good match for oat-based treats, so look at our steel cut oat dessert recipes for related ideas.
Bars and blondies
SunButter blondies, crispy rice bars (see our Rice Krispie cake ideas) and oat bars work much like their peanut butter counterparts. Press the mixture into a lined pan, chill or bake, then cut into squares.
Brownies and chocolate desserts
Swirling a spoonful of seed butter into brownie batter, or using it as the base for a fudge or chocolate-dipped truffle, adds richness. Dairy-free chocolate keeps these treats free of milk.
Frosting, dips and fillings
Seed butter can be whipped with powdered sugar and a splash of plant milk for a nutty frosting or a dip for apple slices. For a thinner finish on bars or cookies, a powdered sugar glaze like the one in our two-ingredient icing recipe works too. It also works as a filling for sandwich cookies.
Why baked goods can turn green
A well-known quirk of sunflower seed butter baking is that cookies, muffins and other baked goods sometimes develop a green or blue-green tint inside. This is reported to be a reaction between a natural compound in sunflower seeds and baking soda or other alkaline ingredients, and it is generally described as harmless. To reduce the chance of it, some bakers use less baking soda, add a little acid such as lemon juice, or rely on baking powder instead. Results can vary by recipe, and the color usually does not change the flavor.
Texture and baking tips
- Seed butters can bake up crumblier than peanut butter, so chilling the dough helps cookies hold their shape.
- Do not overbake; bars and cookies firm up as they cool.
- Use parchment paper, as seed butter doughs can stick.
- A little salt, vanilla and cinnamon round out the flavor.
Storing SunButter and desserts
Follow the instructions on your jar. Many natural seed butters are kept in a cool pantry until opened, and some labels advise refrigerating after opening, especially for natural styles that separate. Baked cookies can usually be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. No-bake cookies and bites that contain honey, coconut oil or chocolate generally keep better in the refrigerator or freezer.
More allergy-friendly desserts
FAQ
Can SunButter replace peanut butter?
Generally yes, in a one-to-one swap, though flavor and texture will differ a bit.
Do you refrigerate sunflower seed butter after opening?
Check the label. Some brands say a cool pantry is fine; others suggest refrigeration, especially for natural varieties.
What are some delicious desserts made with peanut butter?
Cookies, brownies, bars, no-bake bites, fudge and frosting are popular, and each can be made with SunButter instead.
What’s the best way to eat cookie butter?
Cookie butter, a spread made from spiced biscuits, is often eaten on toast, with fruit, or as a filling for cookies. Note that it typically contains wheat, so it is not gluten-free.