What Is Solid Vegetable Shortening?

Solid vegetable shortening is a staple for many people when it comes to baking. Recipes for pies, cakes and cookies often call for shortening, which typically is sold in a can or in butterlike sticks in the baking aisle of the grocery store.

In Recipes

Solid vegetable shortening is a solid form of vegetable oils that can be substituted with margarine, butter or lard in some baking recipes. Shortening often is preferred in cookie recipes because it melts at higher temperatures. This makes the eggs and flour set before the cookie dough spreads.

Role

Vegetable shortening has little to no flavor because it is made from vegetable oils, such as cotton seed oil and soybean oil. Its role is to influence texture and consistency.

Benefits

Shortening is ideal for pastry because it blends well with the flour. It can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.

History

Hydrogenation came about in 1905, spurring the development of products such as shortening. Hydrogenation bubbles hydrogen through the oil, forming a solid when it reaches room temperature.

Other Names

A popular brand name for solid vegetable shortening is Crisco.

References

• What's Cooking America: Questions & Answers--Vegetable Shortening
• O Chef: What's Better: Butter, Margarine, or Shortening for Cookies?