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jacquelyncoffey Feb 21, 2010 11:26 AM

Shortening substitute?

Hi, I have a bundt cake recipe that calls for 1 cup of shortening, and I only have 1-3/4 cups. I really don't want to buy any more because I don't bake that often (or fry) and it won't get used until forever! What, if anything is a suitable substitute? Thanks

  1. c
    CocoaNut Feb 21, 2010 11:47 AM

    From Cooks Thesaurus - http://www.foodsubs.com/Fatsoils.html... - you could use a number of things such as apples butter, mashed banana, ricotta..... several more.

    Also, from same source:
    shortening = vegetable shortening Notes: Crisco is a popular brand. Substitutes: butter (1 cup shortening = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons butter; butter is better tasting than shortening but more expensive and has cholesterol and a higher level of saturated fat; makes cookies less crunchy, bread crusts more crispy) OR margarine (1 cup shortening = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons margarine; margarine is better tasting than shortening, but more expensive; makes cookies less crunchy, bread crusts tougher) OR lard (1 C shortening = 1 C - 2 tablespoons lard; lard has cholesterol and a higher level of saturated fat) See also: fat (for low-fat or no-fat substitutions)

    3 Replies
    1. re: CocoaNut
      boyzoma Feb 21, 2010 12:11 PM

      I never knew this site existed. Thank you so much for the link. There have been so many times I am just missing a part of an ingredient or all of one in a recipe and this will be a really great help. You are my new hero!

      1. re: boyzoma
        c
        CocoaNut Feb 21, 2010 04:21 PM

        You're welcome! I love the site, if for no other reason than learning about all the varieties of a specific food type - check out all the different "blue cheeses"!

        1. re: CocoaNut
          j
          jrjmedia Nov 28, 2010 11:11 AM

          I have been using butter as a replacement for shortening in an apple pie recipe. It called for both butter and shortening and I used unsalted butter for both. The pie still came out great.

    2. r
      rizzo0904 Feb 21, 2010 11:37 AM

      I just use butter...I never cook with shortening.

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