What is the difference between Shortening and Butter?

Shortening is a form of 100 percent fat. Butter possesses a high-fat content, but it is also a dairy product. It also contains milk particles as well as a small, but the essential percentage of water. Butter tends to melt under heat at a quicker rate than shortening because of it’s milk and water content.

Shortening tends to obtain a higher degree of flexibility in the finished products. Butter has a much different flavor as well. Butter is the preferred option for more savory foods, while shortening is usually used for its absence of additional flavoring. Shortening can be exchanged for butter, while butter cannot often be exchanged for shortening.

Shortening and butter are two types of fat, both are similar because they contain fat and they are also used for baking processes. However, there are some differences between them. Shortening is a substance with 100 percent solid fat content. Butter, on the other hand, has a higher percentage of fat in its content but it is made together with dairy products like milk, and a percentage of water.

Another noticeable difference is how they react with heat during baking process. Shortening does not melt totally when heat is applied on it due to the 100 percent fat content it has, while butter melt at a very faster rate than shortening because of the dairy product(milk) that it contains, and becomes thinner when melted. Another difference is that, products made with shortening are more softer than products with butter. Finally, while butter can generally be used as flavoring, shortening does not add flavor

Shortening and butter are both fats used in baking. They both add moisture and texture to the baked goods. Butter is more popular than shortening. This is because it adds flavor and richness to the end product. Butter is not all fat. It is made up of 80% fat and 16% water.

The water is significant because it allows the baked goods to become crisp. Shortening is made from vegetable oils such as cottonseed and soybean. It is 100% fat. Due to this, the baked good will be more softer and tender. Butter is more flavorable, while shortening has no standout taste.