What is a healthy alternative to vegetable shortening?

Banana puree, applesauce or prune purees are healthy substitutions for vegetable shortening. Although the flavors may be slightly different, you will become accustomed to the difference.

What can I substitute for Crisco?

If you are using butter or margarine instead of Crisco, then you will need to add slightly more to the recipe. So, for every cup of Crisco, you should add 1 cup of butter/margarine plus an extra 2 tablespoons. So if you have no Crisco available, both butter and margarine are great substitutes.

Is there any healthy shortening?

Additionally, shortening is high in calories and offers no nutritional benefits. Therefore, it’s a good idea to limit your intake of shortening and use healthier alternatives when possible — like butter, olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.

Is lard the same as shortening?

Lard vs Shortening The difference between lard and vegetable shortening is that lard is made of pure animal fat and shortening is made of vegetable oil. Shortening behaves the same way as lard in baking, producing flaky layers. However, shortening doesn’t impart the same flavor or richness as lard.

Can oil be used instead of shortening?

If a recipe calls for melted shortening, vegetable oil is a good swap. Just don’t use vegetable oil as a shortening substitute in recipes like pie dough, biscuits, or scones—you won’t get pockets of fat, so the dough won’t puff up properly.

Is butter healthier than shortening?

Butter does, however, have a leg up on shortening whereby it contains beneficial fatty acids and nutrients that shortening does not such as vitamins A, E, K and B12. At face value, while butter may seem like the “healthier” option, it’s worth remembering that it’s still high in calories and saturated fat.

What is the UK equivalent to Crisco?

The UK equivalent is Trex; essentially the same stuff but without any hydrogenated components. It works as a pastry ingredient (shortening) or as a frying oil. You can buy it at pretty much any decent-sized supermarket.