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Many recipes call for the use of fat usually in the form of butter, shortening, margarine, or oil. In baking these ingredients can sometimes be used interchangeably.

Dairy Butter

Comes salted or unsalted. Most recipes that call for butter imply 'salted'. If you use unsalted butter you will need to increase the amount of salt in the recipe.

Use butter, margarine, shortening, and soy butter/margarine interchangeably.

Example: 1 cup butter = 1 cup of margarine, shortening, or soy butter/margarine

Dairy Margarine

Margarine is made from vegetable oil. Its approximate content is 80% fat (oil) and 20% water. In most recipes it can be as a substitute for butter and shortening.

Use butter, margarine, shortening, and soy butter/margarine interchangeably.

Example: 1 cup margarine = 1 cup of butter, shortening, or soy butter/margarine

Soy Butter/Margarine

Derived from Soy, however it can often contain dairy protein (casein). People who want to completely avoid dairy should always check the ingredients. Soy products can cause over-browning and often has a stronger taste, however it can be used interchangeably with butter, margarine, and shortening.

Example: 1 cup soy butter/margarine = 1 cup of butter, shortening, or margarine

Shortening
A vegetable oil that has been processed into solid form. It is commonly used for frying and baking. It is available in tubs or sticks and plain or butter-flavored. Crisco is a popular brand found in the grocery store. Use it interchangeably with butter, margarine, and soy butter/margarine.

Example: 1 cup shortening = 1 cup butter, margarine, or soy butter/margarine.

Palm Oil
The only type of oil that is solid naturally at room temperature. This means it does not require processing and hydrogenation like shortening. It has a mild to no flavor and is perfect for baking. Use it interchangeably with traditional shortening. It is generally found in natural foods stores or by special order.

Example: 1 cup Palm oil = 1 cup shortening.

Vegetable Oils
Liquid at room temperature. Derived from vegetables, nuts, or seeds. Common types are Corn, Soybean, Canola, Sunflower, Peanut, Safflower, Olive, Avocado, Walnut, Sesame, Hazelnut, and Almond. 'Vegetable' oil is generally a blend of several kinds of oil.

The recommended oils for baking are Canola, Sunflower, Vegetable, or Safflower. These oils have the mildest flavor and do not affect the taste of the recipe. Olive oil is a little more rich and can be used in bread recipes effectively.

If you want to substitute oil for butter, margarine, or shortening you should keep in mind that it can lend a greasiness to the finished product. It is not a direct substitute and the other liquid ingredients may need to be slightly reduced.

Example: 1/3 to 1/4 cup oil = 1/2 cup butter, margarine, shortening or soy butter/margarine

Light, Low-Fat, Spread or Reduced Margarine
Most sources agree that the use of light margarines or spreads should not be used in baking. However, they can be used successfully with a few modifications to the recipe. Since it contains about 60% vegetable oil and 40% water you can use it in a baking recipe if you alter the liquid ingredients slightly. 

Fleischmann's produces two light margarines that can be used in baking. These are suggested because they are few of the only non-dairy margarines on the market.

  • Unsalted Fleischmann's - Comes in sticks. Free of all dairy ingredients, but does include Soy.
  • Light Fleischmann's - Comes in tubs. Dairy-free and Soy-free, it is derived from Corn and Canola Oils.

How to Substitute
1. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup more Fleischmann's than butter, shortening, or margarine in a recipe. 

Example: 1/2 cup Butter, Margarine, or Shortening = 3/4 cup Fleischmann's. 
It is important to melt the Fleischmann's in the microwave for 30 seconds to properly measure it.

2. Because Fleischmann's contains more water content than butter you will probably need to REDUCE any liquid ingredients such as water or milk that the recipe requires. Do this by first adding the Fleischmann's and then slowly mixing your batter. Add the other liquids slowly to the recipe, keeping in mind you will probably reduce it by approximately 1/4 cup.

3. Follow the recipes instructions on baking temperature and time.

Coconut Butter

A naturally saturated, non-hydrogenated, unrefined vegetable fat. It is stable which makes it ideal for baking and sautéing. Coconut butter is the same as coconut oil. Use as a substitute for shortening and butter in recipes such as pancakes, cakes and cookies. Unlike other substitutes it may lend a slight ‘coconut’ flavor to finished products.

Example: 3/4 cup coconut butter = 1 cup butter 

 

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