Shortening

N/A (Processed Fat) Baking Ingredient

Shortening Baking Ingredient

At a Glance

  • Category Baking Ingredient

The Forktionary Angle

"The Silent Workhorse: How Shortening Transforms Textures"

Definition

A solid fat, usually vegetable-based, used in baking to make pastries and other baked goods tender and flaky.

Key Baking Function Flakiness in Pastries
Melting Point Range 92-125°F (higher than butter)
Typical Shelf Life (Unopened, Room Temp) 1-2 years

Flavor Profile

The primary flavor notes for Shortening are:

Neutral Creamy (texture)

Chef’s Secret

For the flakiest pie crusts, ensure your shortening is very cold and avoid overworking the dough, which develops gluten.

Best Substitutes

Butter

- adjust liquid slightly
Ratio 1:1

Lard

Ratio 1:1

Margarine

Ratio 1:1

Buying Guide

Choose hydrogenated vegetable shortening for most baking needs. Avoid trans-fat-free versions if you need specific textural properties.

Recipes Using Shortening

Course Number Of Servings Occasion Desserts

Best Loved Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies

Indulge in the irresistible magic of these melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies! This beloved recipe, adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, is a holiday baking tradition that will leave your guests craving more. Perfectly crisp edges and a delightfully soft center make these cookies the star of any dessert table. Get ready to experience sugar cookie perfection!

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Time To Make Quick Breads Occasion Course

500 Margarita Bread

This legendary Margarita Bread recipe, a top-ten favorite for many, won Harold Freeman of Phoenix $150 in a newspaper contest years ago – and it should have been $500! Its irresistible blend of savory bread and tangy margarita flavor has created countless lifelong friendships among its devoted fans. Perfect for parties, gifts (mini foil pans are ideal!), or simply satisfying your cravings, this recipe is a must-try. Don't miss the amazing cheese spread – it's the perfect finishing touch! Get ready to experience a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.

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Nuts Cuisine Course Gifts

Aunt Ida Mae Parker's Daughter Gina's Banana Nut Bread

A taste of Arizona history! This vintage banana nut bread recipe comes straight from the Parker family archives – pioneers of Arizona. Passed down through generations, this recipe boasts a secret ingredient: *love*. Cousin Gina's handwritten note reveals the key to perfect texture: alternate adding dry and wet ingredients for the best results. Get ready to bake a slice of family history, bursting with the rich flavors of ripe bananas and crunchy nuts.

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4 Hours Or Less Fruit 4 Hours Or Less Preparation

Banana Pecan Oatmeal Cake

Indulge in this moist and delicious banana pecan oatmeal cake, featuring a crunchy, irresistible caramel-pecan topping! This recipe, inspired by Patricia Mitchell, is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat. The combination of tender banana cake and the sweet, nutty topping is simply heavenly. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this easy-to-make masterpiece!

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For Large Groups Time To Make Low Cholesterol Healthy 2

Apricot Filled Cookies

A treasured family recipe passed down through generations! These delightful apricot filled cookies are a Christmas tradition, bringing warmth and nostalgia to every bite. Made with a buttery shortbread crust and homemade apricot filling (or a convenient shortcut with apricot preserves!), these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. This recipe uses shortening, just like the original, for that authentic, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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Time To Make Time To Make Equipment Low Protein

Apple Rolls

Indulge in the irresistible sweetness of homemade Apple Rolls! These cinnamon-spiced delights are perfectly baked to golden perfection, offering a comforting and delicious treat for any occasion. Easy to make and guaranteed to impress, these apple rolls are a must-try recipe.

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Course Dietary Course Muffins

Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffins

Discover Grandma's secret recipe for light and fluffy blueberry muffins! These golden-brown treats, unearthed from an old cookbook, are bursting with juicy blueberries and guaranteed to be a family favorite. Easy to follow instructions make these perfect for beginner bakers.

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Toddler Friendly Dietary Cuisine Course

1960 Original Kentucky Buttermilk Biscuit

Taste the legendary flavor of Kentucky with this authentic 1960s buttermilk biscuit recipe! Scaled down from a family heirloom, these melt-in-your-mouth biscuits are unbelievably flaky and tender. Get ready for the best biscuits you'll ever make – a true culinary masterpiece that will leave you speechless. Prepare to be amazed!

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Number Of Servings Low In Something For Large Groups Dietary

55 Minute Dinner Rolls

Whip up these fluffy, delicious dinner rolls in just 55 minutes! Perfect for any meal, this recipe is adapted from the "Carbohydrate Counting Made Easy" cookbook, endorsed by the Knoxville Area Community Hospital's Diabetes Support Group. Each roll boasts only 134 calories, 4g protein, 2g fat, and 26g carbs, making it a guilt-free treat for everyone. Inspired by our experience at Camp Hertko Hollow in Boone, Iowa (515-276-2237), a fantastic diabetes camp providing kids with a supportive and inclusive environment. Learn more and register your child: http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/diabetescamps/ia-hollow.jsp

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Preparation Main Ingredient Apples Number Of Servings

Apple Danish

Indulge in a taste of history with this irresistible Apple Danish recipe, passed down through generations! Made with tart Granny Smith apples for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this delectable pastry is perfect for a cozy afternoon coffee gathering, a special weekend brunch, or a delightful breakfast treat. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this classic, time-tested recipe – a true culinary heirloom!

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Time To Make Time To Make Desserts Preparation

Basic Vanilla Frosting

Indulge in this incredibly easy-to-make vanilla frosting! With just a few pantry staples, you can create a fluffy, delicious topping perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies – anything your heart desires. This recipe is quick, simple, and guaranteed to impress.

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Oven Time To Make Fruit Dietary

Apple Doughnuts Baked

Blast off into flavor with these delicious apple doughnuts, a recipe inspired by Utah's Teacher in Space, Linda Preston! This baked version is a healthier twist on a classic treat, perfect for a cozy afternoon or a special occasion. Enjoy the warmth of cinnamon-sugar and the sweet taste of apples in every bite. Get ready for a culinary adventure!

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American Eggs Heirloom Historical Potluck

Annie Glenn's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Blast off into flavor with Annie Glenn's legendary chocolate chip cookies! Taken from the "Out of This World Cookbook II," this recipe is a true celestial treat from the wife of astronaut John Glenn, a pioneer of the Mercury program. These perfectly chewy cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Makes approximately 48 cookies.

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60 Minutes Or Less Breads Lunch 60 Minutes Or Less

Baked Apple Donuts

Indulge in the irresistible sweetness of homemade Baked Apple Donuts! This recipe from cooks.com offers a delightful twist on a classic treat. These tender, cinnamon-sugar coated donuts are baked, not fried, making them a healthier and equally delicious alternative. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack.

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Preparation Equipment Desserts Holiday Event

Big White Soft Sugar Cookies

Winner of Grandma's Approval! These Amish-inspired sugar cookies are unbelievably soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Get ready for the best sugar cookies you've ever tasted – fluffy, buttery, and perfectly sweet. This recipe is a family favorite, and for good reason! Try them and see why they're considered the ultimate treat.

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Valentines Day Cuisine Berries Independence Day

Best In The West Berry Cobbler

This award-winning berry cobbler boasts a sensational, crackly sugar topping created by pouring boiling water over the batter before baking! Using your favorite combination of fresh or frozen berries, this recipe is easy to follow, incredibly impressive, and unbelievably versatile. Get ready to experience cobbler perfection!

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Easy Dinner Party Equipment Weeknight

Aunt Carrie's Banana Bread

This isn't just banana bread; it's a legend! For over 50 years, this recipe (from a cherished, yellowed newspaper clipping) has been a family favorite. My Aunt Carrie, a renowned caterer, considered this her most requested treat. Her handwritten success notes are testament to its irresistible flavor. Get ready to bake a slice of history – moist, nutty, and utterly unforgettable!

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Novelty Main Ingredient Low In Something Candy

3 Musketeers Bars

Indulge in the creamy, dreamy delight of homemade 3 Musketeers Bars! This copycat recipe captures the magic of the classic candy bar, delivering a rich nougat center encased in a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate coating. Easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe is perfect for baking enthusiasts of all levels. Get ready for a chocolatey adventure!

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