can i use margarine for shortbread cookies? if not, what's a brand i can use? (recipe says softened butter)

Question

i'm baking shortbread cookies and i don't know if i can use margarine, if i can't, what brand of butter can i use? it says to use softened butter.

Answer 1

The cookies have a better texture and taste with butter. Margarine will make them flatter and oilier. Any brand of butter will do from Land O Lakes to storebrand. Just let it sit at room temperature until it softens before creaming with the sugar.

Answer 2

As a certified restaurant manager listen to me when I tell you NO, do not use margarine. Margarine is mostly water! It will ruin your recipe and you may as well throw your ingredients in the trash! Use butter!!! Shortbread cookies are all about the butter! Anyone telling you to use margarine shouldn't cook, and may not have ever had a real shortbread cookie!!

Answer 3

I've used margarine in place of butter for years and haven't had any problems with it. There's no particlur brand you need to buy for softened butter or margarine. Just let it sit out at room temperature for a while, or, if you forget until you're ready to start mixing, put it in the microwave for a FEW seconds.

Answer 4

You really shouldn't as there is too much water in margarine.
For other types of cookies - I would say it is fine... but the butter is REALLY important for the flavoring in short bread.
If you absolutely cannot get any real butter. The next best thing is STICK margarine (not the kind in the tub.)
Even the stick margarine isn't very good.
You will be much happier if you go & get some butter to use in them.

Answer 5

Butter means butter ........... only use substitutes when they say so. A recipe will say butter or margarine. If it does not say that, then don't use it. It does make a difference with some baked items

Answer 6

Land O Lakes or anything that says BUTTER not margarine. they wont taste very good.

ps. I cant believe its not butter is not butter its margarine.

Answer 7

Any brand of butter will do, and any brand of margarine. I think that butter tastes nicer, but both are fine.

Answer 8

Like everyone said, you can use margarine, but butter is best. It's the holidays, you're allowed to get fat :)

Answer 9

HEAVENS NO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I don't care what anyone says. shortbread is all about the butter. Yea it will work but taste like %!*%^&(.
Why bother if you aren't going to respect the food go to the grocery and let the elves do your cooking.

Answer 10

you can use margarine but they taste minging. you can use any decent brand of butter, i usually use country life or anchor. softened just means room temperature.