Can tahini be replaced by vegetable shortening in a cookie recipe?

No, tahini and vegetable shortening are very different ingredients and cannot be directly replaced in a cookie recipe.

Here's why:

* Flavor: Tahini has a distinct nutty and slightly bitter flavor, while vegetable shortening is flavorless. Replacing tahini with shortening would drastically alter the cookie's taste.

* Texture: Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, giving it a slightly chewy and nutty texture. Vegetable shortening is a solid fat that contributes to a softer, more melt-in-your-mouth texture.

* Functionality: Tahini acts as a binding agent and adds moisture to cookies. Vegetable shortening mainly contributes to texture and helps prevent cookies from spreading too much.

If you want to replace tahini in a cookie recipe, you'll need to consider a substitute that offers a similar flavor profile and texture, such as:

* Peanut butter: Similar nutty flavor and texture to tahini, but might be slightly sweeter.

* Almond butter: Offers a nutty flavor with a slightly more delicate texture than tahini.

* Sunflower seed butter: Provides a similar nutty flavor and texture to tahini, but might be slightly less intense.

Remember that substituting ingredients can affect the final outcome of your cookies. You might need to adjust the recipe's other ingredients, such as flour, sugar, or baking time, to achieve the desired results.