topic Re: I have a baking ? in Recipes

I have a baking ?

riley1 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 12:22:29 GMT

If a recipe calls for shortening can I use butter? Or is shortening the Crisco in the can?

Thank You! Riley1

Re: I have a baking ?

Sammijo10 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 12:30:37 GMT

Usually, shortnening refers to Crisco. Switching to butter will depend on what you are making. If it's a cookie recipe, use can use butter, but not TOO softened as then the cookies will be flat as pancakes. It makes the flavor much better.

If it's a pie crust type of recpie and there's a mix of both butter and crisco, then there's a reason for the mix of fats and best to use the mix that the recipe calls for. Using all butter in a piecrust is tasty, but then the flour amount has to be adjusted.

What are you making?

Re: I have a baking ?

2blonde — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:13:15 GMT

Butter will obviously change the flavor (more tasty), but it will also make the baked goods softer than shortening will. For cookies, I would only use butter; for pie crust, probably shortening.

Re: I have a baking ?

OKPrincess — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:37:24 GMT

Many many years ago, my mom and great aunts cooked with shortening and lard. Everything tasted great!!

Re: I have a baking ?

Hoovermom — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 14:38:02 GMT

@OKPrincess wrote:
Many many years ago, my mom and great aunts cooked with shortening and lard. Everything tasted great!!

@OKPrincess: Ain't that the truth??? LOL.

Re: I have a baking ?

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 14:54:59 GMT

In my experience, butter tends to burn faster than shortening.

Re: I have a baking ?

Pook — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:20:43 GMT

@riley1 What I've found is that usually if a recipe for shortening then it is for a reason. The texture of what you are making might be different. If you want a more buttery taste then use butter flavored . Some recipes will say shortening/butter/margarine which implies that all are ok. I found shortening (especially in cookies) will give a softer cookie but not as tasty as butter but butter will make the cookie spread out and harder. It just depends on what you are making.

Re: I have a baking ?

riley1 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:33:09 GMT

Thank You for all the information. It was for a new cookie recipe. I will stick to the instructions and use shortening.

Re: I have a baking ?

gizmogal — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:40:55 GMT

@riley1 wrote:
Thank You for all the information. It was for a new cookie recipe. I will stick to the instructions and use shortening.

Anytime I try a recipe for the first time, I try to follow it exactly as far as ingredients and instructions. That way I know if it is successful, it is going to be something I might do again (with or without changes). If I make changes trying it the first time and it's not so good, I'll never know if it's the recipe or the changes I made that cause the negatives.

I think you are wise to use shortening as called for. Around my way, it's also cheaper than butter!

Hope those cookies are yummy.

Re: I have a baking ?

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 21:05:19 GMT

I like to bake - but never 'mess' with the ingredient list -

Re: I have a baking ?

chrystaltree — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 21:37:29 GMT

No, you cannot substitute shortening with butter. The two are very different things. Shortening is Crisco or lard and substituting with butter or margarine will affect the texture and taste of your food.