Can you use shortening instead of butter in sugar cookies
Ava Hudson
Updated on April 08, 2026
Can Butter and Shortening Be Used Interchangeably in Cookies? Butter and shortening can generally be substituted for each other in cookie recipes if you keep a few things in mind: Since butter does contain water and less fat than shortening, you’ll need to use more of it as a substitution.
Is it better to use shortening or butter in sugar cookies?
Cookies made with butter, especially high-sugar recipes, tend to be flatter and crispier than cookies made with shortening. Because of butter’s low melting point, the dough tends to spread during baking before the structure sets.
What can I use instead of butter in sugar cookies?
- Margarine. Margarine is possibly the most-used butter substitute for baking cookies, cakes, doughnuts or just about anything else for that matter. …
- Shortening. …
- Olive & Vegetable Oil. …
- Coconut Oil. …
- Pumpkin Puree. …
- Applesauce. …
- Greek Yogurt. …
- Bananas.
What happens if you use shortening instead of butter in cookies?
Shortening traps more air bubbles and has a higher melting point than butter, so recipes that use shortening tend to produce an end product that will rise a little higher, holds its shape during baking, and has an interior texture that is softer or lighter.What does Crisco do to cookies?
Bake it better with Crisco® Crisco® all-vegetable shortening will make your cakes moist, pie crusts flaky, and cookies soft and fluffy, with 0g of trans fat per serving*. One look, and you’ll see why we’ve got butter beat.
Why are my butter cookies hard?
The most common reason that cookies are tough is that the cookie dough was mixed too much. When flour is mixed into the dough, gluten begins to form. Gluten helps hold baked goods together, but too much gluten can lead to tough cookies. … You can also let the dough rest before baking to let the gluten relax a bit.
Does shortening make cookies softer?
Shortening generally makes baked goods softer. Shortening is flavorless. Butter adds a rich flavor to baked goods.
What does lard do to cookies?
Using lard in cookies creates a different texture (some say sandier) and of course the lard vs. butter in pie crusts is a war that well never be won. In general, lard will often bring a more savory note to your baking (some say ‘piggy’) which can add a nice complexity and depth.Can you mix butter and shortening?
Combining two different fats such as margarine and shortening will give a recipe some of each fat’s best qualities. For example, by using both butter and shortening in a cookie recipe, you will get the wonderful flavor of butter, while the shortening will keep the cookies from spreading too flat.
Which is healthier butter or Crisco?Butter is slightly more nutritious than shortening. … However, the type of fat you use also affects the nutritional content of the finished product. While butter and shortening have similar nutritional profiles, you’ll be better off using butter since it provides more vitamins and doesn’t contain trans fats.
Article first time published onWhat can I use instead of butter for chocolate chip cookies?
- Olive oil or vegetable oil. If you like to cook, there’s a good chance that you have a bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil in your cupboard — which can be a lifesaver if you run out of butter. …
- Avocado. …
- Plain yogurt. …
- Coconut oil. …
- Applesauce.
What's the secret to soft cookies?
Underbaked cookies are the secret to softness. Using cornstarch in the dough is another secret to softness, as well as the secret to thickness. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. Adding an extra egg yolk increases chewiness.
What is the healthiest substitute for butter?
- Olive oil.
- Ghee.
- Greek yogurt.
- Avocado.
- Pumpkin purée.
- Mashed bananas.
- Coconut oil.
- Applesauce.
What will adding an extra egg do to cookies?
The protein in the yolk heats up and turns into a “gel-like substance,” which allows for a super soft texture once fully baked. The more eggs you add, the more chewy and almost cake-like your cookie will be.
Does Crisco go bad?
(Unopened)PantryCrisco Sticks last for1-2 Years(Opened)PantryCrisco shortening Cans last for1 YearCrisco Sticks last for6 Months
What is the best shortening to use in baking?
Lard, what was originally shortening before hydrogenated vegetable shortening was invented, is the best option for producing flaky results. It should be used in lesser amounts, however, removing 2 tablespoons from every cup for 1 cup of shortening.
Can I use Crisco instead of butter in cookies?
Use the Butter-Flavored Shortening However, regular Crisco shortening doesn’t have a distinct flavor that can add richness to your baked goods. If you struggle to make your bakery’s texture more tender and need Crisco shortening for that, you should consider using the butter-flavored Crisco shortening instead!
When a cookie recipe calls for shortening what do you use?
Cookies made with butter or margarine may be softer and spread a little more. Cookies made with butter are usually crisper than chewy cookies made with shortening, but the flavor is richer with butter. So if you need a substitute for shortening in cookies, a one-to-one butter swap will work great.
What makes cookies chewy vs crunchy?
However, it’s the yolks that make cookies chewy, while the whites lead to crunchier cookies. For our purposes, that means that agar-agar or aquafaba, which act as egg white replacements, can lead to crispy cookies. These Fugetaboutit Cookies use aquafaba and cream of tartar for delicious, crunchy cookies.
Does melting butter make cookies chewy?
How does melted butter change cookies? … According to The Kitchn, if you use melted butter in your dough, make the dough into small rounds, then chill the dough before popping them in the oven, your cookies will have chewiness from the butter as well as crispy edges. This sounds like chewy and crispy cookie goodness.
Why are my cookies burn on the bottom and raw on top?
Dark pans absorb more heat and can cause over browning. … The cookie sheet may be too large for the oven and not allowing sufficient heat circulation. The heat is trapped under the pan and the cookies will burn on the bottom before the tops are brown.
How much Crisco equals a stick of butter?
It should be allowed to cool slightly before adding to other ingredients. Can I substitute Crisco shortening for butter or margarine? In general, you can substitute Crisco shortening for butter or margarine in equal amounts (1 cup Crisco shortening = 1 cup butter or margarine).
Why is shortening bad for you?
Due to the recent ban on trans fats, shortening is now trans fat-free. However, shortening is still highly processed, and the interesterification process now used to create spreadable shortening may have its own set of health risks. Additionally, shortening is high in calories and offers no nutritional benefits.
Can you substitute lard for butter in cookies?
Lard offers an almost direct substitute to butter, but you cannot replace 225g of butter with 225g of lard in a recipe and achieve completely comparable results.
Which is healthier lard or Crisco?
Sure, lard is healthier if you compared it to partially hydrogenated vegetable oils like Crisco, according to Tong Wang, a lipid chemist and professor in the department of food sciences and human nutrition at Iowa State University. … Lard also has cholesterol, she notes, as do all animal fats.
Can I substitute Crisco for lard in a cookie recipe?
Lard is a perfectly acceptable substitute for shortening in most recipes. Know that lard is an animal product and if you want to eliminate animal fats from your diet, avoid lard.
Why is palm oil so bad for you?
Compared to other liquid oils, palm oil is relatively high in saturated fats. Palm oil is about 34% saturated fat, while olive oil is less than half of that. Saturated fats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and chronic health conditions.
What was Crisco originally made for?
Their initial intent was to completely harden oils for use as raw material for making soap. After rejecting the names “Krispo” and “Cryst” (the latter for its obvious religious connotations), Procter & Gamble called the product Crisco, a modification of the phrase “crystallized cottonseed oil”.
How do you use Crisco shortening?
This shortening can be used instead of butter or margarine in cooking and baking, or it can be combined with either one (or both). Among other things, it’s known for making good pies with a flaky crust, cakes and cookies soft, and frosting fluffy.
What is the best oil for baking cookies?
Canola oil is the most popular baking oil as it’s stable at high temperatures, is cost-effective and has a very natural flavour. It also has only 7% saturated fat and contains omega-3s. Choose organic where possible even if it’s a little more pricey.
Can you use oil in cookies instead of butter?
Cookies (Oil Option) – Use half the amount of oil in cookie recipes that call for butter, but add liquid as needed. So if your recipe calls for 1 cup butter, substitute 1/2 cup oil and add liquid until the dough comes together and looks properly hydrated. I usually add about 2 tablespoons of liquid.