![]() ![]() In the early 20th century, scientists also invented hydrogenated vegetable oils, thinking it would be a good product for soap. In 1869, a French chemist invented margarine, which came to be known under that label as well. How Did We Get So Mixed Up? This is a fun one! The term shortening actually used to be reserved only for lard, because other fat products like Crisco and margarine simply did not exist yet. In reality, shortening is more a type of ingredient than a specific ingredient. While butter technically fits the definition, being solid at room temperature and used in baking, most people still don't consider butter to be in the shortening family. Referring only to Crisco ® is shortening is the issue, because shortening actually encompasses a lot of other products too (and maybe some you thought were opposites of shortening). It just is not as inclusive as it should be. Keep reading to learn more about what shortening really is, and how you can make the most out of it! Is Crisco® the Same as Shortening? In truth, referring to Crisco ® as shortening is not 100% wrong. Luckily, we have figured out the true definition of the term shortening, and all the ins and outs of using it in your kitchen. If you have also been misusing the term, or we just obliterated what you thought you knew about shortening in these first few sentences, then you are not alone. I am fairly positive even my grandmother was misusing it after 30-40 years of using it in her over-the-top baked goods and pies. In fact, you have probably been misusing the term shortening for most of your life. In common terms, this word typically refers to Crisco ® or another mass-produced brand you can find in your grocery stores, but that is not actually a correct usage of the term shortening. Shortening is a word that my deep South Carolinian grandmother used a lot while she was baking, and I am sure many grandmothers in the South did as well. Shortening helps give baked goods a delicate, crumbly texture. This actually includes a few things that you may have thought were definitely not shortening before–like lard, and margarine, and hydrogenated vegetable oils, for instance. What Is Shortening? Shortening, by definition, is any fat that is solid at room temperature and used in baking. ![]()
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