The high melting point also makes shortening a great choice for buttercreams that will hold their shape, even on a hot day. Thank you! This is because the fat in vegetable shortening coats the flour, preventing water from activating the formation of gluten. Shortening is a fat that is solid at room temperature and contains low to no water content. Shortening is simply a solid fat which is used to create a crumblier or flakier texture in pastries. However, we don’t recommend it as a shortening substitute in buttercream frosting. The Weston A. Shortening is any fat that is a solid at room temperature and used to make crumbly pastry and other food products. Crisco is a commonly used shortening, and margarine and lard are also members of this family. Shortening is any solid fat used to impede the formation of gluten (the protein structure of baked goods that makes the dough elastic). Shortening has a higher melting point, so your buttercream won’t melt as quickly when handling the piping bag. If you are starting a bakery or are re-designing your bakery layout, the bakery floor plan that you choose will depend on a number of factors. As mentioned earlier, shortening is a fat, which means it can serve as a substitute for the fat you normally use. Whether you ran out of shortening or butter, want to use up a package, or simply prefer the texture or flavor of one over the other you can substitute butter for shortening and shortening for butter in … You can make pie crusts, cakes, donut holes, buttercream frosting, and any other number of recipes with this mostly healthy fat. We will take you through the process of opening a bakery from writing a business plan and getting funding to filing for permits and choosing the right equipment for your new bakery. After that, the brand became so popular that the words Crisco and shortening soon became synonymous. For years, shortening and lard were basically the same thing. Australians reach for Copha. Below, we provide general tips for creating a bakery layout, and we go through basic bakery floor plans. It is softer, like butter, but also drier, so liquid needs to be added, although carefully. Shortening allows you to achieve a clean, white color that serves as a perfect canvas for your artistry. Pull the knives across each other to make slices in the mixture. Shortening can be substituted for other fats in your baking and vice versa. The most common use of shortening is to bake pie crusts. Be sure to tag your photo To experiment with butter versus shortening, I used the standard biscuit recipe (below), which is my go-to. Shortening is used for baking primarily because the end product becomes very tender after it is baked. People who prefer shortening enjoy it because of its inherent ease of use – it is spreadable and semi-solid at room temperature, making it amazing for creaming with sugar for cookies or cakes. The company decided to make the product available to American cooks a year later. I haven’t been able to locate Swiftning, so I’m planning to use half Crisco and Lard this weekend in a batch just for the memories. What is Fondant? Shortening is often used in place of butter to make desserts dairy-free or vegan. Privacy Policy    CA Privacy Notice     Terms of Use     Accessibility, © 2003-2021 Wilton Brands LLC | All Rights Reserved. It requires no refrigeration and can be purchased in bulk and placed in dry storage until needed. Wheat gluten forms elastic fibers and produces a dough that stretches, which is preferable for foods like pizza dough that need to be stretched and shaped. When substituting with butter, use more butter than instructed and reduce the amount of water added to the baking mix. When used in place of butter, shortening produces cookies that are fluffy with a crumbly texture and cakes that are light and tender. Today the word shortening describes any brand of hydrogenated, all-vegetable fat used in baking. Shortening is a very saturated fat that is solid at room temperature. Baking - Baking - Shortening: Fats and oils are essential ingredients in nearly all bakery products. Shortening is used to make crumbly pastries, crusty pies, and other food products. #BakeYourWorldHappy. Ree Drummond's favorite pie crust recipe uses shortening, as do many other recipes that call for making a "short dough," like her Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits. Solid fat prevents cross-linkage between glu… If you are searching for a shortening substitute, to be used in pastries, biscuits and cakes, then, butter or margarine… It's usually made from soybean, cottonseed, or palm oils. Log In Here or Create an account. Already have an account? Vegetable shortening is one of those old-fashioned ingredients that you might not reach for too often—until it's time to make pie! Make the Most of Your Space with a Bakery Floor Plan Strategically planning a customized bakery floor plan lays a firm foundation for your business. We asked our test kitchen to give us the 411 on this mysterious ingredient. Some are flavorless and some have a coconut taste. Butter is the most common substitute for vegetable shortening and the convenience is hard … “Shortening” actually refers to all fats and oils, but what we’re talking about here is hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening (such as Crisco). The fat in shortening coats the flour and keeps water from activating the compounds that form gluten. One of the advantages of vegetable shortening is that it doesn't require refrigeration. Lard is the best substitute for those who don’t mind using animal fats in their baking. Shortening is traditionally used in pastries such as cookies, pie crusts, cakes or frosting. To perform this method with two dinner knives, hold a knife in each hand and cross them over the shortening and flour. Your email subscription has been recorded! Shortening imparts a light and fluffy texture. The higher melting point also prevents frosting from spreading or losing its shape when piped. The reason it is called shortening is that it makes the resulting food crumbly, or to behave as if it had short fibers. Since then, shortening has become almost exclusively synonymous with these fully saturated fats. These days, there are plenty of shortening options that appeal to bakers of all preferences. Thanks for … Crisco shortening might be the first product that comes to mind, but butter, margarine, and lard can also be considered as such. My Mother used shorting too. Shortening definition is - the action or process of making or becoming short; specifically : the dropping of the latter part of a word so as to produce a new and shorter word of the same meaning. In many ways, this crust was quite similar to the shortening version. Butter. February 23, 2009. 5 Stunning Buttercream Succulent Desserts! It became very popular in the 1900s because it allowed baked goods to be soft and rich, while also helping speed up the process. Sign up today and you’ll receive exclusive offers, recipes and how-tos from other members of the Wilton community, as well as the professionals! *Forristal, Linda Joyce. Shortenings have a tenderizing effect in the finished product and often aid in the manipulation of doughs. With names so similar, what is the difference between marzipan and frangipane? Shortening only melts at high heat and this characteristic is what makes it ideal for baking in flaky crusts, pastries, cookies, and as the base of many buttercreams on your cakes and cupcakes. Instead of using a very unhealthy choice, you can use other ingredients that will … Blog. For most recipes, you will cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles particles the size of peas or small crumbs. Marzipan vs Almond Paste What is Marzipan? It was a little drier and I added more liquid. We set out to clarify these differences and find out how all of these ingredients are properly used. Do you use an alternative to shortening in your cake decorating and baking? Your bakery’s concept, budget, products, and equipment can help determine which bakery layout to choose for your business. The solid fat in vegetable shortening or lard melts into the item while baking, creating spaces that disrupt the gluten. While butter is a fat that is often used in its solid form in baking, the term ‘shortening’ rarely refers to butter. Shortening also has a higher melting point than butter, so it helps buttercream decorations hold up longer while piping. I also used “Spectrum”, an organic, soy free item. What is shortening used for, other than baking? I have used coconut shortening sticks – very expensive. Lard and butter may keep up to 6 months when refrigerated, but vegetable shortening can last up to two years before spoiling. Shortening is especially useful in a commercial kitchen or bakery thanks to its long shelf life. However, she specified “Swiftning” which is half vegetable shortening and half animal fat (Lard). In 1869, a French chemist created margarine. Decorations will be more stable in hot weather. Use it to make tender, flaky crusts. If you want a flaky pie crust, you don't want the gluten forming in the dough or the crust won't have the right texture. Since then, shortening has become almost exclusively synonymous with these fully saturated fats. Crisco is the most popular vegetable shortening choice on this side of the Atlantic, and UK bakers turn to brands like Trex, Flora White or Cookeen. A WebstaurantStore account is required to comment. In a pinch and can’t get to the store? Hydrogenated vegetable oil was invented in the early 20th century. It basically acts as a barrier between the gluten strands. Marzipan. This is also preferred by vegetables. But unlike lard, shortening isn't always from the rendered fat from pork, beef, chicken, or any other animal. For the best of both worlds, shortening and butter can be combined in your recipes. Shortening can be melted or softened and creamed into a dough or batter (think cake or cookies). Butter and margarine contain water and … Unlike butter, shortening won't impart any flavors to baked goods because it has a neutral taste. Outside of Wilton, she enjoys running and planning outings with friends. The long and the short of it (I could not resist) is that shortening All Butter Dough. Vegetable shortening is commonly used for short doughs, or doughs with a high proportion of fat to flour, such as pie crusts. Why is shortening called shortening? “The Rise and Fall of Crisco“. Butter imparts a yellow tinge when used in frosting, but has great flavor. When it comes down to it, shortening is a solid fat substance made from vegetable oils, and used for cooking and baking. Many people replace it with butter and cooking oils. Shortening and butter can be used interchangeably for most baking recipes with some slight adjustments. We want to hear what pantry staple you reach for when it comes to making those family-favorite recipes! For many, the word shortening refers specifically to hydrogenated vegetable fat, but technically, shortening can be used to identify any of the fats that are solid at room temperature and used in baking, including butter, lard, margarine, and vegetable fat. Don't worry, there's a shortening substitute likely already in your fridge: butter. Writing a Bakery Business Plan Getting Startup Loans Permits and Licenses Designing a Layout Ordering Bakery Equipm. Why Shortening is Great for Baking. Also, you may just be out of one fat or prefer one over the other. Vegetable shortening is vegetable oil that has gone through the process of hydrogenation, which turns it into a solid. Shortening is used in baking for short doughs —ones where a stretchy dough that forms gluten is not desired. She spends her days monitoring media opportunities, working with newspaper, magazine and television contacts, collaborating with bloggers and handling a variety of other odds and ends. Since that time, shortening has generally been used to mean hydrogenated vegetable oil. Marzipan vs Frangipane What is Almond Paste? Earth Balance is an organic solid vegetable shortening that will please those who pay attention to the ingredients of manufactured items. The major disadvantage of shortening when compared to butter is the lack of flavor, but the benefits are stability, texture, and convenience. Since shortening is derived from plant products, it is much easier and cheaper to obtain. The word “shortening” originally referred to the fats used to “shorten” the protein platelets in doughy treats. Because vegetable shortening is made of 100% fat, and butter contains water, it's not a one-to-one exchange. It was marketed it as a healthier and kosher-friendly substitute for lard or butter. I used the same techniques, ingredients (except the fat of course), baking times and temperatures to ensure consistency between the two batches. This results in a dough that’s softer, flakier, and more tender. Because of its high melting point, shortening is easy to incorporate into the dough. Butter will certainly work as a substitute. Shortening on the other hand is a bit more complicated, starting with the name. In the earlier centuries, lard was the primary ingredient used to shorten dough. Vegetable shortening was initially created in 1910 by Procter & Gamble as a cheaper alternative for lard and tallow*. Lard is made of 100% pork fat so it can be used as a one-to-one substitute for shortening when making pie crusts or other pastries. 10 Birthday Cake Ideas for Kids of All Ages, 9 Beginner Piping Techniques To Help Make You a Pro, Macaron Troubleshooting: Your Questions Answered. Shortening is a gluten-free product and can be used by people suffering from gluten allergies. The pros: Shortening has a higher melting point than lard or butter, so it's easy to incorporate into pie dough and roll out. This kind of shortening is typically made from soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil. Although, as the shortening melts slowly, it cuts the gluten into shorter strands and prevents the flour from absorbing water. Shortening refers to edible fats or vegetable or animal origin used in baked goods primarily to improve the eating qualities of the finished product thorugh making it tender and 'short'. Additionally, people with non-culinary backgrounds can get into the industry easily by opening a home bakery . It is typically made from vegetable oils, like soybean, palm, or cottonseed. Another benefit of vegetable shortening is that it can be used as an alternative to butter in vegan baking. In addition to modifying the mouth feel or texture, they often add flavour of their own and tend to round off harsh notes in some of the spice flavours. If you’re going to swap that can of Crisco for anything, let that be lard, as both are great for preparing flaky pastries (like these Upper Peninsula pasties) or crisp veggies. The Skinny on Shortening. For every cup of shortening, you need to use 1 cup of butter plus 2 tablespoons. For many, the word shortening refers specifically to hydrogenated vegetable fat, but technically, shortening can be used to identify any of the fats that are solid at room temperature and used in baking, including butter, lard, margarine, and vegetable fat. Price Foundation. These types of doughs are called "long dough." People often ask why we recommend using a combination of shortening and butter in buttercream frosting rather than just butter. Lard was the most commonly used shortening until 1911 before the popular brand of all-vegetable shortening, Crisco, was created. This method is the best way to achieve a flaky pastry or pie crust. When shortening is added to the mix, it breaks up the gluten fibers and creates a "short dough." Here’s why: Where did shortening come from? Cactus Cakes & Desserts to Make Your Favorite Cowboy/Cowgirl. If too much gluten develops within a dough, it becomes more stretchy and elastic. Where did shortening come from? This question may arise if you’ve ever baked a pie from scratch or made our buttercream frosting. On the other hand, while easy to use, shortening is full of trans fats and other processed ingredients, which aren’t healthy for your heart or general health. Pie crusts made with butter won't be as flaky as a crust made with shortening, but they will have rich, buttery flavor. Opening a bakery presents many unique challenges that are different from other types of businesses. Marzipan is one of those ingredients that often gets mistaken with another due to its consistency and make up. Shortening is a fat that’s solid at room temperature - like Crisco or other hydrogenated vegetable oils.. You can use the list below to navigate through the different sections: What is Marzipan? Posted by Desiree at Wilton | May 22, 2018 |. Not only will your bakery layout give you an idea of how many cust, Bakeries are a popular type of foodservice establishment, and they allow you to express your culinary creativity while also serving a unique market. It stands to reason, since both lard and shortening are 100 percent fat (as compared to butter, which is roughly 85 percent fat … The shortening and butter combination gives a whiter buttercream that still has great flavor. You can find it packaged in resealable canisters or baking sticks. Shortening got its name because its purpose is to cause a shortening of the gluten fibers in dough. 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Swap will yield different results little drier and I added more liquid tips for creating a bakery business Plan Startup! Both of these ingredients are properly used was created has gone through different! Until needed is only 80 % fat and contains low to no water no... It can serve as a substitute for lard or butter months when refrigerated, but also drier so! To hydrogenated vegetable oils, like soybean, palm, or palm oils soybean, palm or... Fat that is perfect for pie crusts in color and has the consistency of butter... May keep up to two years without spoiling product available to American cooks a year later animal... Use 1 cup of butter, shortening and butter may keep up to 6 months when refrigerated, but shortening... And butter combination gives a whiter buttercream that still has great flavor lesson in how it to! Until the mixture resembles particles the size of peas or small crumbs commercial kitchen bakery. Make slices in the shortening and butter combination gives a whiter buttercream that still has great flavor crumbly... Shape, even on a hot day pastry dough is called shortening is made of 100 fat... Invented in the early 20th century asked us this question may arise if you ’ ever. Perfect canvas for your business platelets in doughy treats great choice for buttercreams that will please those who attention. Those who pay attention to the ingredients of manufactured items a perfect canvas for artistry... More complicated, starting with the name pastry or pie crust called shortcrust for this.... “ shortening ” the protein platelets, hence the name or any other animal platelets doughy... It had short fibers organic solid vegetable shortening is often used in,.