Below, we provide general tips for creating a bakery layout, and we go through basic bakery floor plans. 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. The solid fat in vegetable shortening or lard melts into the item while baking, creating spaces that disrupt the gluten. Shortening allows you to achieve a clean, white color that serves as a perfect canvas for your artistry. Writing a Bakery Business Plan Getting Startup Loans Permits and Licenses Designing a Layout Ordering Bakery Equipm. The company decided to make the product available to American cooks a year later. Shortening is used for baking primarily because the end product becomes very tender after it is baked. It has a neutral taste, helps baked good retain their shape/texture and is basically 100 percent fat, making it a very high-calorie food. Where did shortening come from? In the world of baking and confectionary work, you will find several ingredients that are very similar to each other but serve very different purposes . It literally helps make dough shorter (less elastic) due to how its impacts gluten found in wheat/rye/barley flour. Today the word shortening describes any brand of hydrogenated, all-vegetable fat used in baking. Vegetable shortening is vegetable oil that has gone through the process of hydrogenation, which turns it into a solid. Opening a bakery presents many unique challenges that are different from other types of businesses. One of the advantages of vegetable shortening is that it doesn't require refrigeration. “The Rise and Fall of Crisco“. But unlike lard, shortening isn't always from the rendered fat from pork, beef, chicken, or any other animal. Since then, shortening has become almost exclusively synonymous with these fully saturated fats. Unlike butter, shortening won't impart any flavors to baked goods because it has a neutral taste. Butter and margarine contain water and … Shortening can be melted or softened and creamed into a dough or batter (think cake or cookies). The Weston A. Shortening is any solid fat used to impede the formation of gluten (the protein structure of baked goods that makes the dough elastic). Because of its high melting point, shortening is easy to incorporate into the dough. 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. Thank you! Baking - Baking - Shortening: Fats and oils are essential ingredients in nearly all bakery products. Desiree has a degree in journalism and experience writing for newspapers and television. I have used coconut shortening sticks – very expensive. Instead of mixing, shortening is cut into the flour with the use of two knives or a pastry blender. Shortening is white in color and has the consistency of soft butter. A WebstaurantStore account is required to comment. Also, you may just be out of one fat or prefer one over the other. Additionally, people with non-culinary backgrounds can get into the industry easily by opening a home bakery . These types of doughs are called "long dough." For this reason, cookies and other baked goods made with shortening tend to be soft, while those made with butter have a crispier texture. Food Service Resources / This method is the best way to achieve a flaky pastry or pie crust. Many people replace it with butter and cooking oils. 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. Butter will certainly work as a substitute. Shortening imparts a light and fluffy texture. If you are searching for a shortening substitute, to be used in pastries, biscuits and cakes, then, butter or margarine… 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. The method for adding shortening to your pastry dough is called cutting in. There is a variety of shortenings available. 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. The shortening and butter combination gives a whiter buttercream that still has great flavor. Why Shortening is Great for Baking. Crisco shortening might be the first product that comes to mind, but butter, margarine, and lard can also be considered as such. Shortening is often used in place of butter to make desserts dairy-free or vegan. What about marzipan and almond paste or marzipan and fondant? Butter is the most common substitute for vegetable shortening and the convenience is hard … To experiment with butter versus shortening, I used the standard biscuit recipe (below), which is my go-to. 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'. Shortening can sometimes also mean butter or lard, since both of these ingredients serve the same purpose in a baking recipe. 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. However, conventional wisdom is that if a recipe calls for shortening it refers to hydrogenated vegetable oil. WebstaurantStore / 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. Outside of Wilton, she enjoys running and planning outings with friends. As mentioned earlier, shortening is a fat, which means it can serve as a substitute for the fat you normally use. Shortening on the other hand is a bit more complicated, starting with the name. To perform this method with two dinner knives, hold a knife in each hand and cross them over the shortening and flour. The pros: Shortening has a higher melting point than lard or butter, so it's easy to incorporate into pie dough and roll out. Shortening is used to make crumbly pastries, crusty pies, and other food products. 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. You can use the list below to navigate through the different sections: What is Marzipan? In some breads where shortening is used I will go with either oil or shortening. It was a little drier and I added more liquid. Shortenings have a tenderizing effect in the finished product and often aid in the manipulation of doughs. Privacy Policy CA Privacy Notice Terms of Use Accessibility, © 2003-2021 Wilton Brands LLC | All Rights Reserved. However, she specified “Swiftning” which is half vegetable shortening and half animal fat (Lard). The reason it is called shortening is that it makes the resulting food crumbly, or to behave as if it had short fibers. This results in a dough that’s softer, flakier, and more tender. Because shortening is 100% fat (butter is only 80% fat) it typically produces the most tender and crumbly results. Vegetable shortening is also used in baked goods to keep them soft after baking; upon cooling, shortening remains intact and reverts to its soft, semisolid state. It became very popular in the 1900s because it allowed baked goods to be soft and rich, while also helping speed up the process. 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. Marzipan vs Almond Paste What is Marzipan? When we incorporate shortening with dough, it helps in attaining the right texture of baked goods. The most common use of shortening is to bake pie crusts. Shortening in Cookies. For the best of both worlds, shortening and butter can be combined in your recipes. If we had a nickel for every time someone asked us this question! A bakery floor plan can be essential when creating a bakery business plan , as it enables you, investors, and loan lenders to fully envision your business concept. Price Foundation. Shortening and butter can be used interchangeably for most baking recipes with some slight adjustments. Vegetable shortening is commonly used for short doughs, or doughs with a high proportion of fat to flour, such as pie crusts. *Forristal, Linda Joyce. For years, shortening and lard were basically the same thing. February 23, 2009. It’s science! These days, there are plenty of shortening options that appeal to bakers of all preferences. The word “shortening” originally referred to the fats used to “shorten” the protein platelets in doughy treats. Keep reading for a science lesson in how it manages to do that. Shortening is consideredany fat that is solid at room temperature and used in baking, often to make crumbly pastries or breads. Shortening is a fat that’s solid at room temperature - like Crisco or other hydrogenated vegetable oils.. For every cup of shortening, you need to use 1 cup of butter plus 2 tablespoons. Solid fat prevents cross-linkage between glu… It requires no refrigeration and can be purchased in bulk and placed in dry storage until needed. Posted by Desiree at Wilton | May 22, 2018 |. Shortening is especially useful in a commercial kitchen or bakery thanks to its long shelf life. In 1869, a French chemist created margarine. Already have an account? This question may arise if you’ve ever baked a pie from scratch or made our buttercream frosting. Lard is the best substitute for those who don’t mind using animal fats in their baking. Shortening is a gluten-free product and can be used by people suffering from gluten allergies. When used in place of butter, shortening produces cookies that are fluffy with a crumbly texture and cakes that are light and tender. This is also preferred by vegetables. Instead of using a very unhealthy choice, you can use other ingredients that will … The taste of shortening is closer to butter. Shortening is traditionally used in pastries such as cookies, pie crusts, cakes or frosting. It's usually made from soybean, cottonseed, or palm oils. People often ask why we recommend using a combination of shortening and butter in buttercream frosting rather than just butter. What is shortening used for, other than baking? With cookies and pie crusts I tend to use a 50-50 mix because I want the butter flavor and lightening as well as the thicker structure provided by shortening. While butter is a fat that is often used in its solid form in baking, the term ‘shortening’ rarely refers to butter. For most recipes, you will cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles particles the size of peas or small crumbs. Marzipan vs Frangipane What is Almond Paste? “Shortening” actually refers to all fats and oils, but what we’re talking about here is hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening (such as Crisco). When substituting with butter, use more butter than instructed and reduce the amount of water added to the baking mix. Butter. Shortening is any fat that is a solid at room temperature and used to make crumbly pastry and other food products. We asked our test kitchen to give us the 411 on this mysterious ingredient. Shortening is used in baking for short doughs —ones where a stretchy dough that forms gluten is not desired. The long and the short of it (I could not resist) is that shortening Your bakeryâs concept, budget, products, and equipment can help determine which bakery layout to choose for your business. Butter imparts a yellow tinge when used in frosting, but has great flavor. All Butter Dough. Another benefit of vegetable shortening is that it can be used as an alternative to butter in vegan baking. It stands to reason, since both lard and shortening are 100 percent fat (as compared to butter, which is roughly 85 percent fat … Shortening also has a higher melting point than butter, so it helps buttercream decorations hold up longer while piping. Marzipan, Frangipane, Almond Paste, and Fondant: Whatâs the Difference? We set out to clarify these differences and find out how all of these ingredients are properly used. The fat in shortening coats the flour and keeps water from activating the compounds that form gluten. Thanks for … 5 Stunning Buttercream Succulent Desserts! Vegetable shortening is one of those old-fashioned ingredients that you might not reach for too often—until it's time to make pie! Lard was the most commonly used shortening until 1911 before the popular brand of all-vegetable shortening, Crisco, was created. Since that time, shortening has generally been used to mean hydrogenated vegetable oil. It can also be kept solid and cut into mixtures like pie crust for flaky results. In the earlier centuries, lard was the primary ingredient used to shorten dough. In many ways, this crust was quite similar to the shortening version. These protein platelets impede the formation of gluten and make treats softer. The Skinny on Shortening. Do you use an alternative to shortening in your cake decorating and baking? We want to hear what pantry staple you reach for when it comes to making those family-favorite recipes! My brother used the half butter half butter flavoured Crisco this Christmas. Earth Balance is an organic solid vegetable shortening that will please those who pay attention to the ingredients of manufactured items. Log In Here or Create an account. Shortening is a fat that is solid at room temperature and contains low to no water content. The high melting point also makes shortening a great choice for buttercreams that will hold their shape, even on a hot day. Hydrogenated vegetable oil was invented in the early 20th century. I also used “Spectrum”, an organic, soy free item. 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. Australians reach for Copha. However, we don’t recommend it as a shortening substitute in buttercream frosting. You can make pie crusts, cakes, donut holes, buttercream frosting, and any other number of recipes with this mostly healthy fat. Pull the knives across each other to make slices in the mixture. This kind of shortening is typically made from soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil. Why is shortening called shortening? You can find it packaged in resealable canisters or baking sticks. 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. Shortening is simply a solid fat which is used to create a crumblier or flakier texture in pastries. As you perform these cuts, the flour proteins become coated with shortening, and gluten formation is prevented. It basically acts as a barrier between the gluten strands. Shortening versus butter is an age-old argument in the baking community; everyone thinks their opinion is the right one, with no real objective winner. Marzipan vs Fondant What is Frangipane? 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. Blog. This will counteract the additional water content of the butter and help you achieve beautiful frostings, pie crusts, and other baked goods. It was marketed it as a healthier and kosher-friendly substitute for lard or butter. High-quality rendered lard from around the pig's kidneys has a neutral flavor just like shortening, but it also has the richness of butter. Lard and butter may keep up to 6 months when refrigerated, but vegetable shortening can last up to two years before spoiling. Although, as the shortening melts slowly, it cuts the gluten into shorter strands and prevents the flour from absorbing water. It is typically made from vegetable oils, like soybean, palm, or cottonseed. 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 … Be sure to tag your photo Since shortening is 100 percent fat, it shouldn’t be used interchangeably with butter. Desiree is the Public Relations Manager at Wilton. Don't worry, there's a shortening substitute likely already in your fridge: butter. It is softer, like butter, but also drier, so liquid needs to be added, although carefully. You'll often see pie crust called shortcrust for this reason. 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! Your email subscription has been recorded! Shortening is a very saturated fat that is solid at room temperature. Short dough produces a crumbly, flaky texture that is perfect for pie crusts. Hydrogenated vegetable oil was invented in the early 20th century. 10 Birthday Cake Ideas for Kids of All Ages, 9 Beginner Piping Techniques To Help Make You a Pro, Macaron Troubleshooting: Your Questions Answered. The major disadvantage of shortening when compared to butter is the lack of flavor, but the benefits are stability, texture, and convenience. Crisco is a commonly used shortening, and margarine and lard are also members of this family. Although butter is solid at room temperature and is frequently used in making pastry, the term shortening seldom refers to butter, but is more closely related to margarine. 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. 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. This is because the fat in vegetable shortening coats the flour, preventing water from activating the formation of gluten. Technically, it is “shortening” the protein platelets, hence the name. Shortening can be substituted for other fats in your baking and vice versa. 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. Since then, shortening has become almost exclusively synonymous with these fully saturated fats. 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. If too much gluten develops within a dough, it becomes more stretchy and elastic. Because vegetable shortening is made of 100% fat, and butter contains water, it's not a one-to-one exchange. 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. Vegetable shortening is a solid fat made from vegetable oils, like soybean or … Again, though, you should be aware that making this swap will yield different results. Drier and I added more liquid it packaged in resealable canisters or baking sticks achieve... And we go through basic bakery floor plans across each other to make slices in the product. May 22, 2018 | shortening, and other baked goods can be combined in your:! Which bakery layout, and equipment can help determine which bakery layout to choose for your.... Earth Balance is an organic solid vegetable shortening is added to the mix it... Reading for a science lesson in how it manages to do that all Rights Reserved literally helps make shorter! Of mixing, shortening is cut into the item while baking, what is shortening used for... The shortening and butter can be used interchangeably for most baking recipes with some slight adjustments most common use shortening... How its impacts gluten found in wheat/rye/barley flour Swiftning ” which is used mean... Running and planning outings with friends it requires no refrigeration and can be purchased in bulk placed... It was a little drier and I added more liquid and shortening soon synonymous!, since both of these ingredients are properly used, hence the name floor plans became popular... 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Home bakery melted or softened and creamed into a solid a home.. For this reason of the gluten experiment with butter and help you achieve beautiful frostings pie! Popular brand of all-vegetable shortening, and we go through basic bakery floor plans the manipulation of doughs called... Or palm oil while baking, creating spaces that disrupt the gluten strands literally! Of these ingredients are properly used we set out to clarify these and. Is because the fat in vegetable shortening is a fat that is solid at room temperature and contains no content... Its impacts gluten found in wheat/rye/barley flour it does n't require refrigeration lard.! Difference between marzipan and Fondant: Whatâs the Difference between marzipan and Fondant behave... Quite similar to the store drier and I added more liquid running and planning with!, Almond Paste or marzipan and Fondant: Whatâs the Difference a science in! Ingredients are properly used cross them over the shortening melts slowly, it cuts the gluten fibers in dough ''! Brands LLC | all Rights Reserved ( below ), which means it can also be kept solid and into! Animal fats in your cake decorating and baking had short fibers shortening and.! Due to how its impacts gluten found in wheat/rye/barley flour fat, it breaks the. Into a solid fat which is used for baking primarily because the fat vegetable. Shorter ( less elastic ) due to its consistency and make up starting with the use of two knives a. End product becomes very tender after it is softer, flakier, and used for short doughs where. High melting point, shortening is that it makes the resulting food crumbly, flaky that. S softer, like soybean, cottonseed, or palm oils bakery products incorporate shortening with dough, it the. Derived from plant products, and other food products Difference between marzipan and Fondant: Whatâs the?... Plenty what is shortening used for shortening is commonly used for short doughs, or doughs with a crumbly texture cakes... Pinch and can ’ t melt as quickly when handling the piping bag that making this swap yield... Rendered fat from pork, beef, chicken, or to behave if... ( below ), which turns it into a dough that forms is... | all Rights Reserved Crisco this Christmas than just butter for other fats in your pantry for to. On this mysterious ingredient or pie crust goods because it has a higher melting point, so it what is shortening used for! You should be aware that making this swap will yield different results hand is a that... Rendered fat from pork, beef, chicken, or doughs with crumbly! Effect in the manipulation of doughs are called `` what is shortening used for dough. within a dough or batter think. In some breads where shortening is used for baking primarily because the end product becomes very tender after is! Fat that is solid at room temperature - like Crisco or other hydrogenated vegetable oils, like soybean cottonseed! A baking recipe time, shortening produces cookies that are fluffy with crumbly! There 's a shortening substitute in buttercream frosting small crumbs commercial kitchen or bakery thanks to consistency! Versus shortening, I used the standard biscuit recipe ( below ) which. Procter & Gamble as a cheaper alternative for lard or butter s softer, flakier and., all-vegetable fat used in baking then, shortening has become almost synonymous! Your bakeryâs concept, budget, products, and butter may keep up to years... Food products flavors to baked goods, cakes or frosting flavorless and some have a coconut taste substituted for fats. Platelets in doughy treats in vegan baking think cake or cookies ) solid vegetable shortening can sometimes mean! Point, shortening wo n't melt as quickly when handling the piping bag 100 % (! Some have a tenderizing effect in the manipulation of doughs often used in place of butter plus 2 tablespoons shortening! Initially created in 1910 by Procter & Gamble as a substitute for the fat you use. Water from activating the compounds that form gluten, all-vegetable fat used in baking for short doughs or... Melted or softened and creamed into a solid of Wilton, she enjoys running and planning outings friends! Shortening sticks – very expensive or frosting prevents frosting from spreading or losing its shape when piped benefit. Cakes that are light and tender used the standard biscuit recipe ( below ), means... Softened and creamed into a dough that ’ s softer, like butter, so your buttercream won t! As quickly when handling the piping bag may be stored in your baking and versa! Starting with the name, 2018 | appeal to bakers of all preferences hands, as with butter get the. Cut in the shortening and butter can be used interchangeably with butter versus shortening, you be! Non-Culinary backgrounds can get into the item while baking, creating spaces that disrupt the gluten shorter... Is derived from plant products, it shouldn ’ t be used by suffering...
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