Bread is a staple in many diets, but what do you do when you’re out of shortening or don’t have any on hand?
There are a few shortening substitutes for bread that you can use to create your favorite recipes.
In this article, we’ll discuss the differences and similarities between the substitutes.
We’ll also give examples of how we’ve used them so that you could easily swap for an alternative that tastes the same or similar.
Let’s start!
Shortening Substitutes For Bread
- Ghee
- Animal Fats
- Applesauce
- Vegetable Oil
- Vegan Butter
- Lard
- Margarine
- Coconut Oil
- Butter
Ghee
Ghee can be used as a shortening substitute for bread. It has a high smoke point and a nutty flavor that can enhance the flavor of the bread.
Moreover, ghee is also a good source of healthy fats and vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Overall, bread made with ghee tends to be more tender and moist than those made with other shortenings.
Animal Fats
Animal fats have been used for centuries as a shortening substitute for bread. Lard was once the most popular choice for this purpose.
Today, however, there are many other options available. Animal fats are suitable for baking because they are solid at room temperature and have a high melting point.
This means that they can help to create a light and fluffy texture in baked goods. In addition, animal fats can add flavor to recipes.
When choosing fat for baking, it is important to choose one with a neutral flavor so that it does not affect the taste of the final product.
Many different animal fats can be used as a shortening substitute, including butter, ghee, and tallow.
Each of these options has its unique flavor and texture, so it is important to experiment to find the one that best suits your needs.
Applesauce
Applesauce is a great shortening substitute for bread. You can use it as a replacement in any recipe that calls for shortenings, such as cakes, cookies, or muffins.
It has several benefits: it’s lower in calories and fat, it’s cholesterol-free, and it adds a lovely moistness and sweetness to baked goods.
Plus, applesauce is easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
Simply choose a recipe you love and substitute applesauce for the shortening called for in the ingredients list.
You may need to make a few adjustments to the recipe – for instance, adding a bit more flour to account for the extra moisture.
Vegetable Oil
One common substitute is to use vegetable oil in place of shortening when making bread.
This substitution can be beneficial because it results in a lighter and fluffier final product.
Additionally, vegetable oil is a much healthier option than shortening, which is high in saturated fat.
When making this substitution, it is important to keep in mind that the dough may spread more than usual.
As a result, it is important to roll it out thinly before baking.
Vegan Butter
Vegan butter is a great substitute for shortening in bread recipes. It has a similar texture and can be used in the same proportions as shortening.
There are some benefits to using vegan butter as a shortening substitute.
First, it adds flavor to the bread.
Second, it is a healthier option than shortening because it does not contain trans fats.
Finally, it is a suitable substitute for those who are vegan or have a dairy allergy.
When substituting vegan butter for shortening, it is important to note that the recipe may require more liquid because vegan butter has a higher water content than shortening.
In general, substituting vegan butter for shortening will result in a delicious and healthy loaf of bread.
Lard
Lard is a type of fat obtained from pigs that can be used in cooking. It is commonly used as a shortening or flour substitute in bread recipes.
While lard does have a high-fat content, it is also a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, lard is less likely to cause allergies than some other types of fat.
Keep in mind that lard may change the flavor and texture of your final product.
Margarine
There are times as a chef you need a shortening for bread and margarine can be used as a substitute.
The benefits of using margarine as a substitute are that it is lower in saturated fat and has no trans fats.
Margarine is also a softer fat which helps to make your bread more tender.
Suitable substitutes for shortening in bread recipes include butter, margarine, lard, bacon grease, vegetable oil, and coconut oil.
When substituting margarine for shortening in bread recipes, you may find that your dough is stickier than usual.
This is because margarine has a higher water content than shortening.
As a result, you may need to add slightly less liquid to your dough when using margarine as a substitute.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent substitute for shortening in bread recipes. It has a high smoke point, so it can be used in recipes that require baking at high temperatures.
It also has a neutral flavor, so it won’t alter the taste of your bread.
Coconut oil is also a healthy alternative to shortening, as it is high in healthy fats.
When substituting coconut oil for shortening, you will need to use slightly less than the recipe calls for, as coconut oil is more concentrated than shortening.
You may also need to bake your bread for a shorter period, as coconut oil tends to brown more quickly than shortening.
Butter
Butter can be used as an effective shortening substitute for bread.
Like a shortening, butter is a solid fat that will help to create a flaky texture in the dough.
It can also be used to coat the pan, which will help to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
When substituting butter for a shortening, it is important to use the same amount of butter as you would shortening.
Also, keep in mind that butter has a lower melting point than most shortenings.
As a result, it is important to work quickly when incorporating it into the dough.
Otherwise, the heat from your hands could cause the butter to melt, resulting in a sticky dough.
Related Questions
What are the benefits of using a shortening substitute?
There are many benefits to using shortening substitutes.
First, they can add flavor to the bread.
Second, they are often healthier than shortening because they do not contain trans fats. You can also use them to add flavor or nutrition to your bread.
Finally, some substitutes are suitable for those who are vegan or have a dairy allergy.
What are some of the most popular shortening substitutes?
There are many popular shortening substitutes, including butter, margarine, lard, bacon grease, vegetable oil, and coconut oil.
What should I keep in mind when substituting a shortening?
When substituting a shortening, it is important to keep in mind the different properties of each shortening. For example, some shortenings have a higher water content than others.
As a result, you may need to add less liquid to the dough when using a shortening with high water content. Additionally, some shortenings melt more quickly than others. Butter is a good example of this.
Therefore, it is important to work quickly when incorporating butter into the dough to avoid a sticky texture.
Conclusion
Many shortening substitutes can be used in bread recipes. Each shortening has its unique properties that can affect the texture and taste of the bread.
When choosing a shortening substitute, it is important to keep these properties in mind.
By doing so, you can ensure that your bread turns out just as delicious as it would with shortening.
So go ahead and experiment with different shortening substitutes to find the one that works best for you!