Can I use butter instead of vegetable shortening?

Yes. Use 1 cup shortening = 1 cup + 2 tbsp butter. Butter's water adds flavour but reduces flakiness. Chill the dough well.

Using Butter Instead of Vegetable Shortening

Reviewed by the CupOrGram Editorial TeamSources: King Arthur Baking, USDA FoodData CentralMethodology

Ratio

1 cup shortening = 1 cup + 2 tbsp butter

Excellent — nearly identical results

Recipe Adjustment Notes

Butter's water adds flavour but reduces flakiness. Chill the dough well.

Measurement Variance Note

For 1 cup references, this ingredient can vary by about 6% across brands and measuring methods (193g-217g per cup). For the most reliable substitution result, measure by weight and test a half batch first.

How Butter Compares for Vegetable Shortening

Quality rating: excellent. Butter's water adds flavour but reduces flakiness. Chill the dough well.

Check This Substitute by Recipe Type

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