what is shortening

Shortening is a type of fat that is solid at room temperature and is commonly used in baking to make doughs short, which means to prevent gluten from forming long strands and making the dough tough. The most well-known types of shortening are lard, margarine, and vegetable shortening such as Crisco. Shortening is used to make many baked goods such as shortbread, pie crusts, and biscuits tender and flaky. Butter can also be used as shortening in some recipes, but it is not the best option because it contains up to 20% water. Shortening is made from vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated to turn them from a liquid to a solid. Some substitutes for shortening include butter, coconut oil, and dairy-free margarine.