Can you use shortening instead of butter in choc chip cookies?

Yes, you can use shortening instead of butter in chocolate chip cookies, but it will result in a different texture and flavor. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Shortening:

* Texture: Cookies made with shortening will be more tender, chewy, and slightly crispier than those made with butter. This is because shortening has a higher melting point than butter, so it stays solid at room temperature, resulting in a more tender texture.

* Flavor: Shortening has a more neutral flavor than butter, so it won't contribute as much to the overall flavor of the cookies.

* Spread: Shortening spreads more than butter, so you may need to adjust the amount you use in your recipe.

Butter:

* Texture: Cookies made with butter will be more flavorful and slightly less chewy than those made with shortening. The butter will melt during baking, creating a more spread-out cookie with a slightly crispier edge.

* Flavor: Butter adds a rich, buttery flavor to the cookies.

* Spread: Butter spreads less than shortening, so you may need to adjust the amount you use in your recipe.

Here are some tips for using shortening in chocolate chip cookies:

* Use a high-quality shortening: Choose a shortening that is specifically designed for baking, such as Crisco or shortening with a high percentage of palm oil.

* Adjust the amount of shortening: You may need to use less shortening than butter in your recipe, as shortening spreads more. Start with 3/4 of the amount of butter called for and adjust as needed.

* Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking will help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.

* Bake at a lower temperature: Baking the cookies at a slightly lower temperature will help to prevent them from burning.

Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to use shortening or butter in your chocolate chip cookies is to experiment and see what you prefer. You may find that you enjoy the texture and flavor of cookies made with shortening, or you may prefer the classic taste and texture of cookies made with butter.