I don't wanna feel dumb not knowing this, what is shortening?(I always see them in oatmeal cookie ingredients)

Answer 1

Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods, and is so called because it inhibits the formation of long gluten strands in wheat-based doughs, giving them a "short" texture (as in shortbread). Shortening can be made from animal fat (lard), but is more commonly a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid at room temperature. Shortening has a higher smoke point than butter and margarine, and it has 100% fat content, compared to 80% for butter and margarine. Crisco, a popular brand, was first produced in 1911.

Despite its worldwide usage and availability, vegetable shortening is believed to be damaging to human health since it generally contains trans fats.

Answer 2

Any kind of fat.( lard, margerine, butter)
Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods, and is so called because it inhibits the formation of long gluten strands in wheat-based doughs, giving them a "short" texture (as in shortbread). Shortening can be made from animal fat (lard), but is more commonly a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid at room temperature. Shortening has a higher smoke point than butter and margarine, and it has 100% fat content, compared to 80% for butter and margarine. Crisco, a popular brand, was first produced in 1911.

Answer 3

You might know it as "Crisco" as often we refer to products by a brand name, such as calling facial tissue Kleenex, regardless of brand, Petrolium Jelly is always called Vaseline, even if it is another brand, you get the idea, so don't feel bad if your mom never used the word, "Shortening" around you. It will be in a can about the size of a coffee can, usually, and be thick and white. There are smaller cans available if your mom doesn't cook much or you are a small family, you might have a small can of it and it could be yellow if it is butter flavored. It is found in the baking isle of any grocery store. It should be measured with a regular measuring cup, not a liquid one, and pack it in the cup and level it off with a knife to get an accurate measurement. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Shortening is a solid form of vegetable oil, however you cannot substitute the liquid for the solid. If I were you I would just substitute it for real butter using the same measurement. Chances are you already have that on hand. You don't have to add any liquid if you are replacing the shortening with butter but if you are changing from butter to shortening you would want to add about a Tbsp of milk or water per half cup of butter.

Answer 5

Well, it's not Lard. Lard is rendered pig fat. Shortening is a solid form of vegetable oil. It can also be from animal but you have a choice, I'd go with the veg. It makes your cookies nice and creamy, same with cakes and pie crust.

Answer 6

Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods.

Answer 7

A plant is a plant or part of a herb used as food

Answer 8

Both are good for you, each fruit/vegetable has different vitamins. And so as more variety, as better. Vegetables have generally less sugar than fruits.

Answer 9

shortening is the fat used while preparing doughs & batters for cookies, cakes etc. it acts as leavening agent and also helps in keeping the dish softer.

Answer 10

vegetable shortening is kind of like lard (which is animal fat) but it is made from vegetables, it also can be substituted for butter if u add water to it.