Is there anything that can be substituted for vegetable shortening when making pie crusts?

Question

I love pie (who doesnt?) and I was wondering if there was a healthy substitute for crisco or lard.

Answer 1

as far as i know, not really, nothing that would taste any good anyway.

Answer 2

No matter what you use, there are probably unhealthy aspects to it. For example, butter (my first choice!) contains fat and cholesterol. Vegetable shortening, like Crisco, contains no cholesterol, and the (vegetable) fats in it are much healthier than the fats found in butter. However, Crisco is made from hydrogenated oils, which are suspected to release free radicals within your body. Free radicals are suspected to be linked with the onset of certain cancers.

Then of course there's lard....good for cooking almost anything, but bad if you happen to have arteries.

Basically, if you eat your pie in moderation, you should use whatever type of shortening produces the best pie (in your opinion). As I said, I prefer (unsalted) butter. Some folks use plain shortening, some use flavored shortening, some use lard...all with favorable results. One or two slices of pie per week isn't going to hurt anyone, no matter what the pie is made of.

Answer 3

here"s a recipe for pie crust made with oil, It doesn't compare to one make but shortening or butter - but its edible. I prefer to use a graham crust instead if I am making a cream pie. It doesn't roll out so you cant really use for a double crusted pie.
LOWER FAT - OIL PIE CRUST

1 1/2 c. flour
Dash of salt
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. oil
2 tbsp. skim milk

In 9-inch pie dish, mix together ingredients. Press evenly around sides and bottom to form crust. Prick with fork and bake at 350 degrees until browned lightly. (Or use as directed in recipe for pie.)

Answer 4

I've used spreadable margarine (comes in a tub) before and it worked great. I don't like using butter because it takes forever to cut it in and form dough. It's easier and you can just squish it in with your hands. Anyway, you could try using a healthier margarine alternative like smartbalance or something like that. It seems like it would have the right consistancy and close to as good a taste. And honestly, if your filling is delicious, who cares if the crust isn't perfect.

Answer 5

Pastry has alot of fat in. It doesn't matter how you make it it's not going to be healthy. You'll just have to eat it in moderation.

For the best pastry I use half butter and half lard (or rather a vegtable fat substitute for lard). The recipie is simple, half fat to flour by weight.

Roz.

Answer 6

No . You're gonna have to bite the bullet on this one. Pie crusts require the use of a solid fat ..

Answer 7

Lard and butter are my two choices. I'd rather have the saturated fat than Trans Fat in my pies. This is only my opinion, and not based on my nutrition training :) Have fun.

Answer 8

Fruits are identified as ripened flower ovaries which produce seeds.

Answer 9

butter... you need a solid fat of some sort for the crust to do right.

Answer 10

Butter - it works just fine.

Answer 11

Butter! Which has been found to be healthier than margarine... ~