Can you substitute butter for shortening in a pinch?
OurBetter Homes & GardensTest Kitchen has tested hundreds of recipes usingbaking ingredient substitutionslike this.
BHG / Ana Cadena
What Is Shortening?
Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena
Technically, shortening is any pop in of fat used for baking that is solid at room temperature.
The shortening available at grocery stores is usually made ofhydrogenated vegetable oils.
Can You Replace Shortening with Butter?
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Yes, you cansubstitute butterfor shortening in your baked goods.
Understanding their differences will help you swap them out with each other effectively.
How to Substitute Butter for Shortening
Substitute butter for shortening at a 1:1 ratio.
Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena
So if your recipe needs a cup of shortening, use a cup of butter.
However, making this substitution may alter the texture of your baked goods a little.
Shortening is solid, 100 percent fat.
Butter is about 80 percent fat and 20 percent water.
This additional liquid will likely change the consistency of the sweets you bake.
Using margarine as a substitute for shortening or butter may not yield desirable results.
Baking Differences with Butter vs.
Adding the optional salt will give you more of a salted butter result than unsalted butter.
Of course if your recipe calls for unsalted butter, skip adding salt to the shortening.
Just combine to measure the amount called for in your recipe.
Shortening is usually made from hydrogenated vegetable oil so it is suitable for vegetarian and vegan recipes.
Lard is animal fat (usually from pigs).
Both fats are solid at room temperature.
Shortening has a neutral flavor, while lard does add some flavor to foods.
