What is softened shortening?

Shortening refers to any fat used in baking instead of butter, especially vegetable fats such as margarine (hardened shortening) and lard (semi-hardened shortening).

* Softened shortening means that the shortening is soft enough to be easily mixed into other ingredients, but not so soft that it becomes liquid.

* At about 65–68 °F (18–20 °C), shortening is firm enough to hold its shape, but still can be easily indented by a finger.

* Softened shortening is typically used in baking recipes that require creaming together the shortening with sugar or other ingredients.

* Shortening must never be fully melted as that would significantly alter the final texture of the baked product.