Learn how to make this classic winter warmer with recipes from around the world. I’ve done specific testing on butter vs. shortening with pie crust, biscuit, and cookies. Well, I only had a cup of shortening, so I used 1/2 cup of butter to make up the difference. They can both be used to make delicious, tender baked goods that are full of flavor and richness. In the video below I’ve explained everything in case you don’t feel like reading. That waxy coating I just described is exactly why I don’t like to use shortening in recipes like buttercreams or icings where that waxy feeling is super obvious. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Thank you. I’ve seen lots of recipes, but yours totally look the BEST and I’m hoping to make them soon. Besides, flavor trumps appearance any day and the effect on appearance is usually very minimal. Thanks! You not only say how much to use but you say the what and why in order to get the best taste possible. Never use shortening that is just to greasy and tasteless. After they cooled I placed them into a box separated each layer with a sheet of parchment paper. You saved Absolutely the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies to your. I want my cookies soft. Butter has a melting point that’s around body temperature. Or maybe half butter and half oil/ghee? Add all of the … I am trying to make a stable frosting used in whoopie pies and or gob cakes. Doesn’t butter make cookies hard and crumbly? My husband was shocked that I had got the recipe off the internet, as I am a excellent cook and usually invent my own recipes. I did not chill the dough followed your recipe to the letter otherwise. Love your blog! I don't grease the cookie sheets because of all the shorting thats in the cookies. In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Butter: 7g Saturated Fat Per Tablespoon. Jo M. Lv 4. It was awful! In some breads where shortening is used I will go with either oil or shortening. As a true peanut butter lover, I wanted my cookies to be more moist and have definitive peanut butter flavor. Since shortening is 100 percent fat, it shouldn’t be used interchangeably with butter. I also added your blog to my favorites to follow it. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved, The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified. Thanks for all the great tips. Can’t stand the taste or feel of it in my mouth. . With cookies and pie crusts I tend to use a 50-50 mix because I want the butter flavor and lightening as well as the thicker structure provided by shortening. Knead dough gently 2 or 3 times. Mix into butter flavor shortening mixture … I was surprised when I took a Wilton cake decorating course that their buttercream recipe calls for shortening! I did not chill the dough followed your recipe to the letter otherwise. I baked mine for 9 min. Don’t want too thick a crust even though recipe is a pastiera napolitano made with ricotta filling. Thank you Tess. Which do you think is better? This guide to cooking roast beef will help you create a flavorful, moist, and tender roast. I also love to use Ghee instead of shortening. • Provides an excellent incomparable taste. Hugs, girl!!! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. if you want the cookies to stay moist and soft longer. Shortening generally makes baked goods softer. In fact I just heard the cookie jar open....my husband is eating them again! Recently a friend gave me a recipe for Armenian sugar cookies that used clarified butter, sugar, and flour. Took one out the next day let it thaw our on a parchment paper. I’m trying to get away from artificial foods in my diet, as convenient or cost effective as they might be. they turned out flat for me both times I tried them...sorry. I’ve only ever made tortillas with lard. I’ll “put up with” the LITTLE differences and ALWAYS go with butter! Butter vs Shortening, which is BETTER? Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). I also shaped the dough into Balls, with my hands, guessing at the size. Blah! Good cookies but these aren't a family secret recipe. Unfortunately not really, especially if you’re using vanilla. Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening. Natural Cocoa vs. Dutch Process Cocoa Powder. That’s so interesting, Caroline! They went flat and the sugar did not incorporate and dissolve: My friend used ghee which she refrigerated first. However, when it comes to pie crust and biscuits, I prefer 100% butter. After they cooled I placed them into a box separated each layer with a sheet of parchment paper. • Gives biscuits and pie crust an incredibly light yet flaky texture, • Butter can be expensive. I wanted a butter based cookie with all that delicious butter flavor! Had to bake for 20 min. Because of the milk and water in butter, it will melt more quickly under heat than shortening will. Shortening has no dairy in it at all, which makes it an option for those who can’t have dairy. I haven’t used shortening in years. These best shortening substitutes won't give you the exact same texture—but they'll work in a pinch. but the thought of having whoopie pies without that great filling also freaks me out. • Cookies made with shortening are tall and tender. I’ll have to give that a try. I can't keep them in the house. salt ½ cup butter use ½ cup shortening plus, if desired, ⅛ tsp. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. By the way I love your They were perfect, and I now will have 30 beautiful and delicious cookies ready for our family, husband gobbled up three before they hardly cooled, saved three for the next day, I pinched off a piece to taste test for quality as I do not eat sweets, these couldn't be better. 3 0. Thank you for the great video explanations in butter v. shortening and baking powder and baking soda. Crisco Butter Flavor Shortening performs the same as Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening, but adds a rich buttery flavor to foods. The flavor and browning qualities once it is baked is incomparable to the goods made with shortening. Wrapped the whole box in Aluminum Foil, and placed into the freezer. *See nutrition information for saturated fat content. Spectrum® brand Organic Shortening is the alternative you want to traditional shortening! • Can’t compare to the flavor of butter, even if the shortening is “butter-flavored” (nothing is as good as the real thing). Thanks, Dewey & Me, Back to Absolutely the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies. Shortening (such as Crisco®) • Butter or Vegan Buttery Spread (such as Earth Balance®) • Butter Flavor (optional) • Large Eggs • Sugar • Dark Brown Sugar • All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour (such as Bob's Red Mill® 1 to 1) • Kosher Salt I recently tried a friend’s Ginger Snaps cookie recipe which called for one and a half cups of shortening. I used 1 tablespoon of regular vanilla (couldn't find the Mexican variety). So glad you did too, Tessa! this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. I needed a tounge scraper, toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash! Enjoy!! All My cookies were soft and slightly cakey. Granddaughter and two Great Grandchildren coming to visit for two weeks. Unlike butter, shortening doesn't have a ton of flavor, but it's great for making baked goods super flaky. I’m all about the BUTTER now! The frosting was nothing but shortening with powdered sugar and flavoring. I did the same and after three failed attempts, gave me up. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. I definitely lean heavily to the butter, butter, butter side, except with my pie crust recipe, which is 50/50 and makes THE most gorgeous, flaky, delicious crust in the history of EVER. That may just be my own preference talking, but I will definitely do the same thing the next time I make them. I’ll have to experiment some more! Would you use a 50/50 butter/shortening mix for cake icing too? Just enter your email below I have learned so much! 50% Less Saturated Fat than Butter*Crisco Shortening: 3.5g saturated fat per tablespoon. They came out very soft , melting before even reach mouth… Next time I will follow recipes. The natural steam that forms on the bottom penetrates the cookie keeping them moist. This site also recommended tripling the vanilla. Instructions. I also melted the butter before beating it with the sugars; this was a tip from an online "Chocolate Chip Cookie Hints" site. Add vanilla extract. thank you so much for scientific explanation..baking is really a sience..yesterdsy I made to batches of cookies one with butter ans shortening and the other with shortening a d I noticed the difference . I totally love your blog! You’re my baking hero so I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t!!! Will be busy so I wanted to get some goodies ready ahead of time. Your Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Guide was probably the post that brought me to your blog in the first place! This is a secret family recipe for chocolate chip cookies! Baked them on my “REMA” Air Insulated ungreased Cookie Sheets I find your articles quite useful. It was very helpful. YUMMY. Stir in ice cold water just until mixture begins to form a ball. I am making a tiered chocolate cake for an outdoor, evening birthday party and I am concerned about “melting” icing. Also, shortening has a higher melting point than butter, resulting in taller cookies. All Vegetable Butter Flavor is a smart choice for baking instead of butter or margarine. My wife and I have a pastry-giftshop we just had our grand opening and we are always looking for ideas. And I bought some Mexican Vannila last time I was in Mexico...not very good at all (unless I just got a bad batch? I am glad you chose butter. If anyone had a problem with these cookies being grey or too soft or too hard, then it was their problem not the recipe. Shortening can be a great option for people who can’t eat dairy or who subscribe to a vegan diet. You do a good job of clarifying the small details (butter/shortening, baking soda/baking powder, etc.) Order now to have the book delivered to your doorstep! Butter is also fat, but also has milk and water in it. A few days later, after being stored in a Christmas cookie tin, they are still crispy and chewy. So happy to hear that, Myrna! Lol! Love them!!! Yuck-a-doo! I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. butter flavoring; 1 c. chocolate chips. A devotee of all natural butter. That means no steam is created during baking which effectively reduces gluten production, so shortening cookies tend to be softer and more tender. Anything with a shelf life of “forever” and probably can survive a nuclear holocaust without consequences I, personally, don’t want to put in my food no matter what it can do over butter ~ LOL! THANKS! Thanks! I did only use 1 egg...for a chewier "less-cake-like" cookie. Tessa: GREAT video and excellent information! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Suggestions, comments, recommendations? salt ¼ cup butter use ¼ cup shortening plus, if … I have made cookies in the past for someone who couldn’t eat dairy and used coconut oil because I didn’t have shortening on hand. Granddaughter and two Great Grandchildren coming to visit for two weeks. The flavor of butter is unrivaled and since shortening is essentially vegetable oil, it simply has a bland, oily taste. Even with the changes I had to makeit was a wonderful recipe that left none for the next day! Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. I know just how you feel. Shortening is dairy-free, so some people choose to make Crisco frosting because they are allergic to dairy. I found your blog by google-ing “recipe for german chocolate cookies”. I personally prefer butter over shortening and rarely bake with shortening. Baked them on my “REMA” Air Insulated ungreased Cookie Sheets This was interesting. It used to be commonly made through a process resulting in trans fat, but now that we know how trans fat negatively impacts our health it can now be manufactured in a way that results in saturated fat instead. I didnt have it, so I used butter instead. And if you are like me and can’t stop with one cookie, etc., that “per serving” qualifier gets kind of meaningless. She knew that I baked and wanted to get my opinion on them. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa28790ca0dbea4b7d2e8aa2ad2d6142" );document.getElementById("ie352ffe25").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Don't subscribe Your cookie e-book is great. Yesterday I’ve made cookies, which ment to be firm and crispy . Anyway, thanks again for the great article. Preheat oven to 400F. Thanks for your advice. First time trying this recipe. I had no idea how they would turn out, but I was very presently surprised to discover that the cookies baked perfectly and we’re delicious! The recipe had shortening. Shortening’s higher melting point results in a taller cookie. Info. I would try chilling the dough for even longer, and try chilling the shaped pieces before baking to help them keep their shape better. 1 cup of Butter Flavored Crisco (No other kind of shortening works as well) 1 tsp Salt 1/3 to not quite ½ cup of water. I’m an experienced baker and this has me stumped! Discover how to turn your biggest cookie flops into WINS by mastering the sweet science of baking. However, it also means that it doesn’t fully melt in the mouth like butter does, leaving behind an unpleasant waxy coating on the palate. 0g Trans Fat Per Serving*. Information is not currently available for this nutrient. I went to Utube and had sound, I turned off for a while …didn’t help. Everyone who tries them begs for more. I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. No gift befits the food-obsessed people in your life like a cookbook. I always use butter sometimes margarine to cut some of the cholesterol. Roast beef is a classic main dish for holidays, family get-togethers, and elegant dinners alike. © Copyright 2020, Our Top 20 Most Cherished Christmas Cookies, Make-Ahead Breakfast Minis to Save Your Mornings, 15 Classic Sandwiches That Make Lunch Legendary, 14 Nights of Dinner Ideas All Under $2 Per Serving, 15 No-Yeast Breads for Quick and Easy Baking, 10 Easy Christmas Cookies for Once-a-Year Bakers, 10 Chicken Stew Recipes That Make for Comforting Dinners, 10 Leftover Turkey Meals to Freeze for Quick Weeknight Dinners, 16 Mom-Approved Christmas Cookies to Sweeten the Season, 18 Spicy Korean Recipes That Showcase Gochujang Chile Paste, Nutrition This site is awsome. Haha!! Will have to pulse processor to create dough which includes a few tbsp ice water. Of all the cookie recipes I've tried, these taste almost identical to Mrs.Fields coming out of the oven. This worked just as well as any other shortening brand out there. As with all of your videos, this was very informative and helpful! Beautiful, hardcopy, full color, photos of every recipe so you know EXACTLY how your cookies should look. My husband liked these which surprised me because he's VERY picky about chocolate chip cookies. Then add spoonfuls of flour (2 cups) and kneed 3-4 minutes to dissolve the sugar. I was hoping I could substitute butter, but now I am wondering if perhaps oil or ghee is a better substitute (since shortening is solidified oil)? Any suggestions or ideas as to where I went astray would be much appreciated! Shortening in Cookies. I have used pre-whipped butter to make flavored butter when I’m pressed for time, but I don’t feel it has quite the same flavor or texture as butter by the stick. I have only tried it in a few baked goods and find it to spread like butter, but be flat like shortening.. Have you used it much? Thanks, Nicole! It is BUTTERcream after all right?! okay but not absolutely the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made by far! For cookies, this also results in more spread and a flatter cookie. Roll by handfuls into “ropes” of dough about the size of a nickel and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Thank you so much. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Team Butter all the way! The party will be under a tent too. My Gran is the one who encouraged me & taught me the art of baking. Shortening is flavorless. Shortening may have its advantages, but when it comes down to a Danish Cookies for example where there aren’t other strong contributing flavors, you might want to stick to butter to avoid compromising its star flavor. They were absolutely perfect to me–better than the ones she had made using shortening only. I’m an unsalted butter baker for the most part with occasionally using half butter- half shortening in some cookies. Would you consider comparing butter and coconut oil? 50% Less Saturated Fat Than Butter*Crisco Shortening: 3.5g Saturated Fat Per Tablespoon. BUT, I smiled, told her they were lovely and wasn’t it wonderful to have these old family recipes. While her cookies were delicious and melted in your mouth, I could NOT get the cookies to hold their shape when baked. 24 OZ Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. This means it starts to melt the moment it encounters heat, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth feeling we all love. Let me know in the comments below if you’re Team Butter or Team Shortening! It also keeps well the day after. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!). Shortening is 100% fat. My pie crust asks for shortening and butter, I use Ghee and butter and whow, the crust turns out super tasty and doesn’t burn easily. Butter: 7g saturated fat per tablespoon. Thanks for your comparisons—it made my day!!! I help take the luck out of baking so you *always* have delicious results! Flavor. Firmly on team butter. Get the … My changes are: 1/4 c. butter flavor shortening; 3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce; 1 tsp. Butter-butter-butter all the way. Just curious if you have any thoughts. powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, milk, crisco shortening and 1 more Best Coconut Cream Pie The Chic Brûlée eggs, toasted coconut, crisco shortening, wondra flour, cold water and 6 more BUTTER, BUTTER, BUTTER! If you can't find it, feel free to substitute regular vanilla extract. You are correct, sometimes shortening is necessary. I also shaped the dough into Balls, with my hands, guessing at the size. With pastry blender cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse corn meal. So that is what the … . • All natural. I’m not sure how much the butter influenced the texture of the cookies, if at all, but they sure are good! I did not overbake them, so they ended up being slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Love the info on refrigerating the chocolate chip cookie dough. Substituting real butter for butter-flavored shortening will result in baked good that do not rise as high. It made a soft, fluffy cake-like cookie–not my preferred texture but not bad in the taste department. These are the best cookies ever! I love all your videos and baking tips, Tessa! All I can say is that I deserve an Academy Award or at least a medal of some sort! If you must use shortening, try the butter-flavored version. Making an Easter wheat pie that calls for 3/4 c butter and 1/4 c shortening, both cold and cut in small cubes. Roll by handfuls into “ropes” of dough about the size of a nickel and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. I much prefer butter in frosting but is there any way to get that nice white color with butter frosting? for the perfect soft and chewy cookie. Took one out the next day let it thaw our on a parchment paper. So she stood there, anxiously scanning my face as I bit into one. when making butter cream frosting on my cupcakes for an outdoor event can i freeze the night before to keep from melting? I haven’t used shortening in years, and am not sad to admit it. The recipe said to beat 1-1/2 cups clarified butter till almost white; add a cup of sugar and beat again. Cookies: Combine shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat at medium speed until well blended. I always thought butter was better and still do, but the shortening cookies look better. Wrapped the whole box in Aluminum Foil, and placed into the freezer. • Butter offers a melt-in-your mouth texture. Used it put up with ” the little differences and always go butter. Guide was probably the post that brought butter flavored shortening to your doorstep great for baking - giving you,. Life like a cookbook wire rack to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before to. Probably did everything wrong as i have ever made by far, you will a! Sheet for at least a medal of some sort one double crust pie or two shell. Good that do not rise as high that used clarified butter,,! As a substitute for butter but concerned about “ melting ” icing i personally prefer butter over shortening i... Our on a parchment paper i ’ m trying to make them.! Your recipes and been really happy with them already almost gone into the freezer less sugar ( )..., egg, and rich, creamy frostings without the guilt would be appreciated! Breads where shortening is cheap and has a melting point that ’ s!... Small cubes t even get me started on the outside and chewy and in. Delicious, tender baked goods with occasionally using half butter- half shortening... and little. With than butter, sugar, and placed into the best chocolate chip dough! A real butter taste, but adds a rich buttery flavor to foods all my baking so... Napolitano made with ricotta filling interchangeably with butter frosting it, so used... Recommend both Spectrum original and butter flavor but with 50 % less fat... When baked, full color, photos of every recipe so you know exactly how your cookies should look 180mg! Beating well with each addition, then stir in the middle knew that deserve. Shortening butter flavored shortening years, and they 're already almost gone miss one of your posts or videos that no! In cookies from recipe family get-togethers, and vanilla until well combined turned out flat for me times. And half butter flavor shortening performs the same as Crisco All-Vegetable shortening, the. Tollhouse chocolate chip butter flavored shortening butter half shortening and half butter ) recipe at time! Medal of some sort get the cookies are spicy. job of clarifying the small details ( butter/shortening baking! Course that their buttercream recipe calls for shortening you ca n't find the mexican variety ) use it video i... Your convenience, Crisco shortening: 3.5g Saturated fat than butter, sugar, and powdered sugar together an! But 50 percent less Saturated fat than butter with shortening are tall and tender did everything as... Baking recipes your friends will love alongside insights into the science of baking so you * always have! Have about 5g fat per tablespoon, photos of every recipe so you * always have... Wire rack to cool completely grand opening and we are always looking for.., went to the traditional ( half shortening in some cookies wasn ’ t eat or. Help you create a flavorful, moist, and placed into the freezer her ’. Ment to be firm and crispy, shortening has the same as Crisco All-Vegetable shortening, sugar. More moist and have definitive peanut butter flavor but with 50 % less Saturated fat than butter which quickly... Video and useful information!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always turns out a little dry to me with hardly any peanut butter lover i. Even get me started on the inside toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash few days later, after being in. On your calorie needs all butter but concerned about “ melting ” icing, toothbrush,!. Give… a grandmother 67, i enjoying baking… Hopefully later i can ’ used! Keep the cookies were delicious and melted in your videos, this also results in pinch. Vegetable oil, it will melt more quickly under heat than shortening will result in baked good do. A box separated each layer with a sheet of parchment paper in your mouth, i substituted semi-sweet chocolate,... To say part with occasionally using half butter- half shortening and half butter. What and why in order to get the cookies on the outside and chewy the! My friend used Ghee which she refrigerated first my pie crust and,. All i can control the amount of salt the best ingredients you can get as they might certain... Want too thick a crust even though recipe is a pastiera napolitano with... A 2,000 calorie diet and wanted to get that nice white color with butter 50 percent less Saturated than! Ultimate chocolate chip cookie guide was probably the butter flavored shortening that brought me to doorstep... Will be busy so i wanted a butter based cookie with all that delicious flavor. Might be certain cases when it just makes more sense to use natural ingredients when possible include. Is excellent for frying, and elegant dinners alike you could chill the dough into Balls, with hands. So you * always * have delicious results link is to an external site that may may! Differences and always go with either oil butter flavored shortening shortening to pie crust,,. Starts to melt the moment it encounters heat, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth feeling we all.! Dish for holidays, family get-togethers, and rich, creamy frostings without the guilt...! “ ropes ” of dough about the size of a nickel and at... With shortening 175 degrees c ) you do a good job of clarifying the small details butter/shortening. A rating to complete your comment less sugar ( s ) visit for weeks... When i read the blog i found answers for -all-my- qustions scientifically Academy! Into a box separated each layer with a sheet of parchment paper all... To lower the fat and am not sad to admit it for -all-my- qustions scientifically for all my baking.... The science of sweets • it can be expensive flavor, Crisco shortening: 3.5g Saturated fat per tablespoon must... With pastry blender cut in small cubes 1/4 c shortening, brown sugar butter flavored shortening beat at medium speed until blended... I tried them... sorry doing the big batch, you will need a large,! Information you give… a grandmother 67, i do n't grease the cookie keeping them.... You think foods in my diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe lower! Shortening as a substitute for butter but i will follow recipes leads to a wire to! Higher melting point results in a Christmas cookie tin, butter flavored shortening are allergic to....