Why do a lot of sugar cookie recipes include shortening? I prefer them made with just butter.?

Answer 1

Butter makes a crisper, flakier product
Shortening will leave it softer and more moist

Answer 2

Really if you are going to make shortbread then butter only way to go. You will find though that some recipes that call for say 1/2 and 1/2 that they are whiter in color and some people like them this way just butter gives the cookies a golden color
doing it this way also reduces the cost of making them. If they have some butter they will be very flavourful and people will not know you used some shortening unless you tell them.
If anything quality vanilla is the most important in baking and proper measuring for consistency. One of the most important aspects I have learned in cooking and baking was that recipes in cooking are guidelines and you can improvise. Baking on the other hand recipes are formulas and need to be followed to the exact amounts for the same product time after time.

Professional cook over 17yrs exp.

Answer 3

Cheaper receipe. The shortening also tends to keep the cookie from breaking as easy. But nothing replaces the taste of the butter in the sugar cookie. With careful handling and a lighter frosting, store carefully in a air tight container and not packed, the cookie last through the holidays.

Answer 4

I have recently discovered, after posting here, that when you use Crisco you will get a very soft cookie. That is what I was looking for at the time. Use butter flavored Crisco if you want a softer cookie. The butter Crisco seems to give more of a butter flavor as compared to just butter.

Answer 5

To keep them white.
That is the school of making things look a certain way versus taste comes first.

Use butter instead but you may have to reduce the salt a bit.

Answer 6

Using butter makes your cookies flatter, so if you want a thin cookie, use butter

Answer 7

YES BUT BUTTER GIVES THEM A RICHER FLAVOR!!!

Answer 8

you can &
you can use lard it is white