I'm getting ready to make some buttercream, and just realized that I am out of butter. Can margarine be used in its place?

Thanks!

From what I understand...margarine has a lot more water in it. If you are going to use margarine, be prepared to NOT use much, if any...water.

Sure, the fat/water composition of butter and margarine are the same.

Difference between butter and margarine:

http://www.ochef.com/864.htm

http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/baking-hints-tips/info/ingredients.asp

HTH

No, I won't advise that you can use sweetex and add butter flavoring, or if you don't have sweetex use white crisco or any other high ratio shortening.

All shortening is 100% fat.

If substituting shortening for butter/margarine, it's necessary to add a bit of water:

http://www.crisco.com/About_Crisco/faqs.aspx#faq_sub

HTH

Well, you could, but it's sure not going to taste the same! It's also going to be more yellow.

Jodie

I use it at times because it actually holds up better in hot humid months than butter (I don't like the butter pool that forms when it's really hot and I seem to only get that when I use butter), but use the stick type ... not the kind in the tub, which, from what I understand does have a higher water content.

I never use butter. I always use Imperial brand margerine.

what is sweetex

I use margarine all the time because of the cost difference.I can buy a 6kg tub of margarine for $7.99....a pound of butter is $3.99.I tried both recipes first before I changed over and really couldn't tell the difference.

I was scared to use margarine because I feel like it is too soft.

Sweetex it hi ratio shortening.

Try this recipe....I PROMISE you will LOVE it!! It is so good and so easy to smooth. Its all I ever use anymore.
Buttercream Icing:

http://www.allthatstuff.net/icingonthecake.htm

Makes 3 cups

*Notes...I like:
Crisco or Snowdrift (don't us butter flavor Crisco)
Land O Lakes MARGARINE
PURE Vanilla (Not clear fake stuff)
(1 lb box sifted c. sugar)
water (to make it thinner use more water, to make
it thicker use less)

May be doubled

Try it you'll love it!!

indydebi's BC.....NO butter! and it's fan-taste-astic!!!!!!!!!!

Thx Debi!