Shortening
100% fat with no water, which makes pastry exceptionally flaky (butter's water creates steam that toughens crust). Also tenderises cookies and holds shape in layer cake frosting better than butter. Flavourless, so sometimes blended with butter for both texture and taste.
Used for
- pie crust
- cookies
- frosting
- biscuits
In the kitchen
- cut into flour
- cream for frosting
- grease pans
Picking it at the store
- Crisco is the most common brand
- Store at room temperature; keeps for about a year
Related terms
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