What Is Shortening Used For In Fondant?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cocoa butter

remains solid at room temperature, so fondant made with this shortening stays pliant and cohesive while it is being worked and holds its shape at room temperature.

What is the purpose of the shortening?

Shortening is

used in baking to give pastries a tender texture

. Many people use shortening because it’s cheaper, higher in fat, and more stable than other types of fat.

What is the purpose of shortening in fondant?

When rolling fondant for a cake you can use any one of the three – vegetable shortening, powdered sugar or cornstarch. Vegetable shortening works great because

it enhances the elasticity

. However, it does not work well if the fondant is too wet. So, use it if the fondant is already pliable but stiff.

Can I use butter instead of shortening to make fondant?

Also,

butter is tastier than shortening

and I always have butter on hand, so that makes it easier. Also, fondant is not that readily available here in Biel.

What can be used instead of shortening in fondant?

Shortening Substitutes When Baking

Shortening is 100% fat.

Butter

has some water content – usually around 85% fat and 15% water (this varies slightly from brand to brand). When baking, the extra water content in butter may alter the consistency, flavor and/or texture of your baked goods.

What are examples of shortening?

Important commercial shortenings include

butter, lard, vegetable oils, processed shortenings, and margarine

.

Are butter and shortening the same?

The answer is yes,

butter or shortening can be used interchangeably in baked goods

and can be used as a one-to-one swap. … Butter contains 80% butterfat and about 20% water (naturally occurring). Shortening is 100% hydrogenated vegetable oil and contains no water.

Why is Crisco bad?

Crisco and other partially hydrogenated vegetable shortenings were later found to have their

own health issues

, most notably trans fats, which were found to contribute as much to heart disease as saturated fats.

What is the healthiest shortening?

  • Grass-fed butter.
  • Ghee (a form of clarified butter)
  • Coconut oil or coco butter, which are good sources of medium-chained fats (just note that it will give recipes a slight coconut taste)

Can I use vegetable oil instead of shortening in fondant?

To avoid this, be sure to knead and roll your fondant in cornstarch only.

Do not use shortening or any type of oil or fat

to knead your fondant. Also, do not rub any type of oil or fat over the fondant’s surface that will be painted with this glaze.

Can you knead fondant with a dough hook?


Knead on low with the bread hook

. As the mixture starts to form a clumpy dough, increase the speed to medium, and then medium-high. Continue to knead until smooth fondant dough forms. Add more shortening if mixture is not pliable enough (too crumbly, clumpy).

How do you make fondant shiny?

Method 1:

Eggs whites

are a great way to shine up your fondant, and they usually dry within 2 hours if you need a quick shiny fix. Method 2: Add 1 part vodka, and 1 part corn syrup. You will need a brush to paint this mixture onto your fondant with a very thin layer, so it has a better chance of drying well.

Is it better to use butter or margarine for icing?


Margarine has a higher melting point than butter

so the frosting tends to hold up and hold its shape better when I use margarine. A true decorator would use shortening both to keep the melting point even higher, as well as to keep the color a pure white.

What can replace shortening?

  • Shortening Substitute: Butter. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Coconut Oil. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Margarine. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Lard. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Vegetable Oil. …
  • Shortening Substitute: Vegan Butter.

Can I use coconut oil on fondant?

Grease your hands with coconut oil and knead the fondant until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. If the fondant seems too dry, add 1⁄2 teaspoon of water.

Use as much coconut oils as needed to prevent from sticking

.

What is the process of shortening?

Shortening is made by a process called

hydrogenation

, which involves add extra hydrogen atoms to the aforementioned vegetable fats and turns them into solids, rather than liquids. This process of turning the previously unhydrogenated oil into a partially hydrogenated fat with trans fatty acids.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.