Butter. One of the main reasons for using butter instead of shortening is for the taste. … Lard. Lard is the closest substitute to shortening. … Margarine. … Coconut Oil. … Vegetable Oil. … Vegan butter. … Ghee. … Bacon Grease.

What type of shortening do bakeries use?

Hydrogenated vegetable shortenings Hydrogenated shortenings are the biggest group of fats used in the commercial baking industry.

What is shortening made of?

The term “shortening” technically refers to any type of fat that is solid at room temperature, including butter, margarine, and lard. Shortening can be made from either animal fat or vegetable oil, but most shortening available today is made from vegetable oils like soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil.