A shortening is defined as a fat, solid at room temperature, which can be used to give foods a crumbly and crisp texture such as pastry. Examples of fat used as “shorteners” include butter, margarine, vegetable oils and lard.

Besides, When a recipe calls for shortening what do they mean?

Shortening, by definition, is any fat that is solid at room temperature and used in baking. … Shortening helps give baked goods a delicate, crumbly texture. Shortening is a word that my deep South Carolinian grandmother used a lot while she was baking, and I am sure many grandmothers in the South did as well.

Keeping this in mind, What are the five examples of shortening? Important commercial shortenings include butter, lard, vegetable oils, processed shortenings, and margarine.

Where is shortening in a grocery store?

You should be able to pick up shortening in the aisle with cooking oils. Usually, this will be the baking or spice aisle. If you’re looking for organic shortening, it might be in a different area. Check the organic, natural foods or vegetarian and vegan aisle.

What is the best shortening?


Best shortening – Buying Guide

  • Nutiva Organic Shortening, Original, 15 oz.
  • South Chicago Packing Traditonal LARD Shortening, 42 Ounces, Specialty Baking Shortening and Cooking Fat.
  • Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening – 6lb can A1.

What to use for shortening in baking?

Butter or margarine can be used instead, adding a couple of extra tablespoons per cup of shortening called for in a recipe. So for every 1 cup of shortening called for in a recipe, use 1 cup butter or margarine plus 2 tablespoons.

What is the best shortening for baking?

Lard, what was originally shortening before hydrogenated vegetable shortening was invented, is the best option for producing flaky results. It should be used in lesser amounts, however, removing 2 tablespoons from every cup for 1 cup of shortening.

Where would shortening be in the grocery store?

You should be able to pick up shortening in the aisle with cooking oils. Usually, this will be the baking or spice aisle. If you’re looking for organic shortening, it might be in a different area. Check the organic, natural foods or vegetarian and vegan aisle.

What is shortening in cooking?

Shortening is 100% vegetable oil, which allows for a higher melting point than butter, so it stays solid within the pie crust dough in your oven longer. When the shortening finally melts, steam forms in pockets and it puffs the layers of dough apart, making a flaky, but not as flavorful as butter, crust.

What is shortening in South Africa?

Shortening – hard, white vegetable fat (Holsum). Confectioner’s sugar – icing sugar.

Is coconut oil a shortening?

Coconut oil is another great shortening substitute. It has a similar texture and is also vegan, too. You can swap it in one-for-one, but just remember that it will likely give your baked goods a very slight coconut flavor.

Where in grocery store is vegetable shortening?

Vegetable shortening is the same thing as Crisco shortening in the grocery store. It is sold in cans and usually is found near the oils.

What can replace shortening?


6 Best Shortening Substitutes That You Likely Already Have in Your Fridge

  • Shortening Substitute: Butter. YelenaYemchukGetty Images. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Coconut Oil. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Margarine. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Lard. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Vegetable Oil. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Vegan Butter.

Is Crisco a shortening?

“Shortening” actually refers to all fats and oils, but what we’re talking about here is hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening (such as Crisco). This kind of shortening is typically made from soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil. … It’s 100% fat, unlike butter.

How bad is Crisco shortening for you?

Crisco and other partially hydrogenated vegetable shortenings were later found to have their own health issues, most notably trans fats, which were found to contribute as much to heart disease as saturated fats.

What is bakery shortening?

At its most basic, a bakery shortening consists of low-melting-point liquid oils and higher-melting-point solid fats that form a soft, plastic material. … “While shortening is a generic term, it relates to smoothness, spreadability and lubricity as well as crystalline structure.”

Can I replace shortening with oil?

As a general rule, yes, you can substitute vegetable oil for shortening in cakes. If you substitute oil for shortening, it’s good to consider the instructions for your specific layer, sheet, pound, or bundt cake recipe, then go from there.

Can I use olive oil instead of shortening?

Olive oil works very similarly to shortening which is why it is an excellent substitute. However, it is not suitable as a substitute for shortening in all recipes. Olive oil has a distinct flavor, and because of this you can only use it as a replacement for shortening when you are making savory baked goods.

Are butter and shortening the same?

The answer is yes, butter or shortening can be used interchangeably in baked goods and can be used as a one-to-one swap. … Butter contains 80% butterfat and about 20% water (naturally occurring). Shortening is 100% hydrogenated vegetable oil and contains no water.

Is butter or vegetable shortening better?

Butter does, however, have a leg up on shortening whereby it contains beneficial fatty acids and nutrients that shortening does not such as vitamins A, E, K and B12. At face value, while butter may seem like the “healthier” option, it’s worth remembering that it’s still high in calories and saturated fat.

Is it better to bake with shortening or butter?

There is no doubt about it, cookies and cakes taste better when they are made with butter. Shortening, which is made from hydrogenated vegetable oil, has no flavor. … Shortening can make baked goods rise higher and be lighter, which depending on what you are baking, may be preferable to using butter.

Is vegetable shortening good for baking?

Shortening is also not just for baking — it’s commonly used instead of oil or other types of fat for frying too. Shortening is used in baking to give pastries a tender texture. Many people use shortening because it’s cheaper, higher in fat, and more stable than other types of fat.

Where is Crisco in grocery store?

Vegetable shortening is the same thing as Crisco shortening in the grocery store. It is sold in cans and usually is found near the oils.

Is lard and shortening the same?

Lard vs Shortening

The difference between lard and vegetable shortening is that lard is made of pure animal fat and shortening is made of vegetable oil. … Shortening behaves the same way as lard in baking, producing flaky layers. However, shortening doesn’t impart the same flavor or richness as lard.