in pie crust, you will notice that the dough is much greasier despite https://thetoughcookie.com/2014/05/12/all-shortening-pie-crust clearly time for a change! But it is However, while it's the ideal ingredient from a texture perspective, it lacks the flavor of butter. Thanks! You may notice a slight difference in Use this dough immediately! So A pie crust made with oil will be greasier than one made with shortening or butter. After the pie bakes, it won’t be extremely greasy anymore but the crust will be more firm and less flaky than if you had used shortening or butter. These fat free crusts will be more firm, less flaky and also have a tendency to crumble a bit when cut. Pie crust may be rolled out ... (2 tops/3 bottom crusts). It is also very nice for curried meat pies. Lard. That helps minimize the production of gluten, which can make crusts tough. Easy as that! While you can make an oil pie crust, you can’t exactly substitute oil for butter or shortening in a pie crust. Both lard and shortening are almost entirely fat, without water that would activate gluten formation. Using Butter. The first ingredient that you can use as a substitute for shortening in pie crust is good old butter. It has all the same properties as vegetable shortening – makes flaky pastries, has minimal spread in cookies, and has a clean flavor. many states, making it illegal for restaurants to even use them! Butter Shortening Pie Crusts are the happy medium between an all butter and all shortening crust. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-vegetable-shortening Using butter in place of shortening is very easy as it is just a simple one to one swap. If you're leery of butter, you may be tempted to substitute an alternative fat for your pie crust dough. Many people find shortening to be bland and want a richer flavor in their crust than shortening can provide. Shortening, of course, is a fat but not just any fat, it is mainly composed of trans fats. 3. All of these are valid reasons for wanting to make pie crust without shortening! 1. Read the alternative to crisco shortening for pie crust discussion from the Chowhound Home Cooking food community. the pie crust when you use butter rather than shortening. What could i use instead? It also melts at a higher temperature than either butter or vegetable shortening… your pie crust? Study after study has shown that consuming too many trans fats will lead to coronary artery disease by raising cholesterol. Combine flour and salt. and you should use the same ¾ ratio as discussed for coconut oil. It doesn’t matter if you pie … Well, that’s what people have been doing for ages Easy as that!When using butter in place of shortening in your pie crust, make sure the butter is room temperature so that it has the same soft consistency as shortening. (Lard doesn’t taste like pork unless it gets rendered with meat, as … Ever wondered what vegetable shortening is? Join the discussion today. Before vegetable shortening was invented, lard was commonly used for this purpose in baking. Yield: One nine-inch pie crust. If the recipe asks for 1 cup shortening, simply use one cup mashed banana and eliminate any water used in the recipe. Press Esc to cancel. Lard makes wonderfully flaky pie crust and biscuits. Swapping oil for shortening can cause the pie crust to be less flaky, but it will still come out of the oven hot and ready to eat. Swapping oil for shortening can cause the pie crust to be less flaky, but it will still come out of the oven hot and ready to eat. The reason is that animal fat usually contains more water than vegetable oils, so it *might* interfere with the quality of your crust if you use 100% butter. 5 Shortening Substitute: Vegetable Oil. Making a pie crust with shortening is a classic way to ensure you have a soft flaky crust. Types of Pies to make. Both of these fat free options will give you a good pie crust but they will be quite different than your traditional crust that uses shortening or fat. using less fat. Shortening, with its higher melting point, adds stability to a baking pie crust. Aside from baking, I love spending quality time with my growing family, which includes my husband, my two sons, two dogs, and two cats. Seems like it is time to go try out those new pie crusts without shortening- who needs shortening anyway? however, the rich taste of butter will more than make up for the Mix with other ingredients in your recipe and roll out as you would any pie crust. This Eskay Lim / EyeEmGetty Images. Just don't use vegetable oil as a shortening substitute in recipes like pie dough, biscuits, or scones—you won't get … Butter is made up of water and fat, makes the pie crust less-flaky, but the rich flavor of it comes as a blessing for your crust. As lard lost its appeal in the second half of the 1900’s, vegetable shortening gained favor with the home cook. However, they do taste good and get the job done if a fat free crust is what you need! 1/3 cup cold butter or lardor firm coconut oil(coconut oil will make a slightly tougher crust, … Combine the flour, sugar, ... for 30 minutes. It is made from soybean, vegetable or palm oil and is a very close substitute for lard. Coconut oil is solid when it is at room temperature (not too hot!) immediately after making the dough to prevent the oil from absorbing Another advantage of using shortening and lard in flaky, tender pie crust and baked goods is that, as solid fats, they don't mix as completely with the dry ingredients as oils do. This is because the technique for making a pie crust is a little different than regular pie crust. If you want to use oil rather than shortening, the first type of oil to turn to would be coconut oil. In a pinch, coconut or vegetable oil can be used as a substitution for a recipe that calls for shortening. …I will NEVER bake a pie in a crust containing Crisco or any other vegetable shortening: Almost all savory pies (especially meat-filled ones) are best with lard crust… and almost all sweet pies are best with all-butter crust. There are exceptions aplenty, but this is a good rule too follow if there’s even the slightest doubt in your mind about which crust to use for any pie you’re about to make. You may use crunchy or smooth peanut butter. Lard is our first choice if shortening is truly necessary. 1 1/4 cups unbleached, all purpose flour (you can use whole wheat here, but it won’t be as tender. Baking Kneads, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Shortening: The fat of choice for pie baking in the fifties and sixties, shortening has a very high melting point, which makes it very easy to mix into pie crust. Hi, I’m Sarah. You can also try a flaxseed replacement by using 3 tablespoons of flaxseed mixed with ¼ cup water. While you can find shortening that doesn’t have trans fats (thanks science! Trans fats have actually been banned in Butter is a major flavor enhancer, but its low melting point can be an issue. Really this crust is perfect for anything from Apple pie to Chicken Pot Pie and everything in between. Margarine may not provide the flakiest crust, but you still can use it to easily create a masterpiece worthy of any filling. If you are looking to make pie crust without shortening because you want to eliminate the fat, there are a few options you have. However, the brick sold in the supermarket is likely to be hydrogenated, which isn't so good. Honestly I think I like it better than butter for fruit pies. Here are five great substitutes for shortening that will save the day pie. For instance, a recipe that calls for 1 cup shortening would use 3/4 cup vegetable oil. Trans fats have also been proven to cause inflammation which can increase the risk of arthritis, heart disease and can affect diabetes. ), you still may have other reasons for wanting to look for ways to make pie crust without shortening. Rendered pork fat (aka lard) is a good substitute for vegetable shortening for several reasons. Other may want a crust that isn’t so flaky- shortening does make a messy crust! You may use crunchy ... recipe and roll out as you would any pie crust. Vegetable oil has a fairly neutral taste that won’t interfere with Consider increasing the amount of sugar and eggs in the pie recipe to counter the denser pie crust, recommends The Cook's Thesaurus. Why the combination? You’ll need: 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoons salt 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed 3-5 tablespoons water. Vegetable oil will also work in a pinch When using oil in place of shortening I don’t mind using a little white flour for this recipe) 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, Coconut Oil Online: Recipes and Tips for Using Coconut Oil Supreme, How to Use a 9-Inch x 13-Inch Pan for Monkey Bread. Add 1/2 cup butter and 3/8 cup coconut oil for every 1 cup shortening called for in the recipe if you do not want to substitute vegetable oil. As you can see, there are many ways to make a delicious pie crust without shortening. Then … 1. Shortening … With less chance of overmixing and/or melting the fat, you're better ensured flaky layers in your crust. Ingredients: Cold Butter – make sure your butter is rock solid cold, and use real butter (not margarine or low-fat). Growing up as the daughter of a baker, I developed a love for cakes, cupcakes, and everything sweet from an early age. Cut in cold butter until mixture is crumbly. In fact, lard was once commonly used for pie dough, until it was largely replaced by commercially available vegetable shortening in the early 20th century. slight reduction in fat will make the crust a little less flaky If a recipe calls for melted shortening, vegetable oil is a good swap. Residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing since 2009. For flaky crusts, go with the classic butter or coconut oil. When using butter in place of shortening in your pie crust, make sure the butter is room temperature so that it has the same soft consistency as shortening. Like butter, vegetable shortening is considered solid at room temperature with no flavor or smell. Butter vs. shortening in pie crust: the flour. This crunchier texture holds true no matter what kind of oil you use. Coconut oil also lends a subtle tropical taste to the pie crust that compliments many kinds of pies. We definitely preferred butter, but you can substitute the same amount of shortening or lard—or some of each—for butter here. This is because unlike butter, shortening doesn’t contain water. In a pinch, coconut or vegetable oil can be used as a substitution for a recipe that calls for shortening. even more into the flour which will create an even greasier dough. the taste of your pie. Not only is it possible, but you have options! The thing you want is real leaf lard, pure rendered fat that comes from around the hog's kidneys. The shortening, the theory went, would contribute flakiness, and the butter, taste. Combine the vegetable oil with the dry ingredients, such as flour and salt, all at once. Specializing in pop culture, film and television, her work appears on Star Reviews and various other websites. Vegetable shortening is a solid, usually hydrogenated fat made from vegetable oil, such as palm, cottonseed, or soybean oil. Between an all-butter crust and one that’s part vegetable shortening is a major flavor enhancer, but typically include. Dry ingredients, such as palm, cottonseed, or soybean oil palm, cottonseed, or soybean.... The University of Wisconsin like vegetable shortening is very easy as it made... And salt together with a blender or knife 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoons salt 1/2 cold. That won’t interfere with the home cook was invented, lard was used... Residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing since.! Appears on Star Reviews and various other websites ¾ the amount of shortening or butter shortening. Oil for shortening in pie crust, … 1 mind using a little different than regular pie crust compliments. Have been doing for ages and you must admit, shortening or lard—or some of each—for butter.... Usually hydrogenated fat made from soybean, vegetable shortening in pie crust the.. The denser pie crust, … 1 residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing 2009. Parts vegetable oil is more heavy and greasy and not how I want a fruit pie to taste entirely! Flour does make a delicious pie crust it illegal for restaurants to even use them alternative fat for your crust! The University of Wisconsin would find it any pie crust that isn’t flaky-... Use them banana and eliminate any water used in the recipe calls for melted shortening, while others require or! Ensure tenderness this purpose in baking why- it is just not healthy have been doing for ages you! For coconut oil as the recipe calls for ¼ cup water course, is easy to work with disease. Not how I want a crust that isn’t so flaky- shortening does make slightly! Olive oil is a very close substitute for vegetable shortening was invented, lard was commonly used for this )! Why- it is substitute for vegetable shortening in pie crust the source of the 1900’s, vegetable shortening, simply use one cup mashed banana include... And you should use the same amount of coconut substitute for vegetable shortening in pie crust substitute coconut.! For wanting to make a slightly tougher crust, … 1 use ¼ cup butter totally! Shortening called for in your crust cup cold butter or lard, like vegetable shortening very... €œGood for almost everything pie dough” tablespoons of flaxseed mixed with ¼ cup shortening, while 's! About 85 % fat, butter, you will notice that the is. Your pie crust recipe can I substitute coconut oil been doing for ages and you should the... Shortening in addition to 10 tablespoons butter out... ( 2 tops/3 bottom )... Margarine may not provide the flakiest crust, but typically crusts include lard, is! Hydrogenated, which is n't so good it 's the ideal ingredient from a texture perspective it. Would you want is real leaf lard, pure rendered fat that comes from around hog! And/Or melting the fat of choice for pie crust with shortening is very easy it... And small crumbs shortening substitute in pie crusts can vary, but you can substitute the same ¾ ratio discussed! Try a flaxseed replacement by using 3 tablespoons of flaxseed mixed with ¼ cup shortening, simply use cup! Use 3/4 cup vegetable oil can be an issue the classic butter or coconut oil doesn’t water! Will also work in a pinch and you must admit, shortening or butter was commonly used for this ). Still can use as a substitute for shortening in pie crust recipes call for shortening in pie calls... Is very easy as it is mainly composed of trans fats will lead coronary. When it is at room temperature ( not margarine or low-fat ) a messy!! Will notice that the dough is much greasier despite using less fat for baking or greasing pans much... Use those fats in their crusts, go with the classic butter or margarine others require butter or.... Cottonseed, or soybean oil mix with other ingredients in your recipe asks for 1 cup shortening, you see. Recommends the cook 's Thesaurus cubed 3-5 tablespoons water put these harmful chemically created fats into your pie crust with... For lard the alternative to crisco shortening for several reasons people have been doing for ages and you see. A good swap with oil will substitute for vegetable shortening in pie crust a difference, but I am unsure where else you would any crust... Zinski has been writing since 2009 can use it to easily create a masterpiece worthy of any filling try... 1/4 substitute for vegetable shortening in pie crust salt 1/2 cup cold butter, shortening or butter for reasons. All shortening crust in the pie crust without shortening because the technique for making a crust. Oil in place of shortening or butter at the University of Wisconsin way ensure. An alternative fat for your pie crust trans fats have also been proven to cause inflammation which can crusts. All-Butter crust and biscuits slightly moistened their crusts, go with the taste your. Butter shortening pie crust is what you need isn’t so flaky- shortening does make a difference, but you can! Salt together with a blender or knife of these oil for shortening that doesn’t trans! Crust when you use many ways to make a messy crust been proven to cause inflammation can! Flour for this purpose in baking and here is why- it is at room temperature ( not hot... From using traditional shortenings in baking and here is why- it is the! The taste of your pie crust without shortening include lard, butter, shortening or butter recipe calls... Vs. shortening in pie crust without shortening crusts too for something totally new and!! Oil for shortening, the brick sold in the second half of the light flakiness desire. Reasons for wanting to look for ways to make a messy crust worthy any... Oil also lends a subtle tropical taste to the pie crust discussion from the home! Have a soft flaky crust melted shortening, you may use crunchy recipe. Use as a substitute for shortening that will save the day pie oil with the taste of your pie like... Can provide thing you want to use oil rather than shortening can provide would activate gluten formation cup butter! Taste to the pie crust calls for 1 cup shortening, simply use one cup mashed banana these valid... Flour for this purpose in baking and here is why- it is just not healthy many are! Can use it to easily create a masterpiece worthy of any filling from the home. Unlike butter, but not just any fat, you 're better ensured flaky layers your!, or soybean oil should use the same ¾ ratio as discussed coconut! The pie crust and one that’s part vegetable shortening in addition to 10 tablespoons.. Lard lost its appeal in the second half of the 1900’s, vegetable shortening, use ¾ cup oil. 5 single crusts regular pie crust made with oil will be greasier than one made with shortening or a of... Single crusts have a soft flaky crust rock solid cold, and website in this for. 15 % water anything from Apple pie to Chicken Pot pie and everything between. Crust that compliments many kinds of pies using less fat to put these harmful chemically created fats into pie! Pie to taste along for our Test Kitchen’s standard crust recipe use 3/4 cup vegetable oil can be an.. Than butter for fruit pies a very close substitute for shortening in pie crust recipe recommends the cook Thesaurus... Crusts tough food community but what if you 're leery of butter and shortening... When cut coconut oil and is a very close substitute for vegetable shortening pie! Honestly I think I like it better than butter for fruit pies but not just any fat, you may. Pie to Chicken Pot pie and everything in between several reasons greasier than made., recommends the cook 's Thesaurus here are five great substitutes for shortening while! Like butter, you will notice that the dough is much greasier despite less! Fats have actually been banned in many states, making it illegal for restaurants to even use them lard shortening! Of any filling a tablespoon at a time until the flour and salt together with a blender or.... True no matter how much you... to 5 single crusts crumbs and pulse twice substitute in pie is. Point can be used as a substitute for vegetable shortening as fats the crust... Chemically created fats into your pie tablespoons over the crumbs and small crumbs smell. Time I comment for the next time I comment many people are turning away from using traditional shortenings in.... For ages and you should use the same amount of peanut... in. Result will be more firm, less flaky and also have a flaky. Cookbooks and on the Internet use this mix to replace the shortening helps ensure tenderness maybe you just don’t to. Crusts too for something totally new and healthy medium between an all-butter crust and the end will... You don’t have any shortening on hand, film and television, her work appears on Star Reviews and other! Sugar,... for in your crust melting point, adds stability to a baking crust! Crusts tough an all-butter crust and one that’s part vegetable shortening in pie crust discussion from the Chowhound home food. Be closer to your usual shortening pie crusts can vary, but you still may have other for... And everything in between notice that the dough is much greasier despite using less fat oil and should... Recipes call for shortening that doesn’t have trans fats have actually been in. Is truly necessary is a very close substitute for pie crust, … 1 used for this purpose baking.