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- Do you have a good recipe for shepherd's pie? —Alan
- How about a minestrone recipe? An easy one with ground beef? Thanks! --Linda
- You have so many delicious recipes! Do you have a cookbook that is for sale? Thanks for the Luscious Lemon Delight...
- Betty, Is it alright to use Splenda instead of regular sugar in all my baking? Thank-you. --Louise
Substituting Butter for Shortening
I have several cookie recipes I would like to try but they all call for shortening (which I have never used in anything, and can't imagine ever using!). Can I use butter instead and get the same results? What about in pie crust? Thanks for all your help in the past - you are the greatest!
--Nana Ruth
Oh Nana Ruth, we’re getting into a little bit of tricky territory here, but yes, you can usually substitute butter if shortening is called for in baking recipes. For every 1 cup of shortening in the recipe, use 1 cup + 2 tablespoons butter. But note that using butter instead of shortening will make cookies less crunchy--but probably better tasting!
As for pie crusts, if the recipe calls for shortening, you can use butter (in the ratio I mention above), but the crust will turn out less tender than if you used shortening. Since butter is much more flavorful than shortening, many bakers compromise by using half butter and half shortening (or lard) in pie crust dough, giving a good-tasting AND tender crust.

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Question
I'm looking for good crowd-pleasing recipes for a covered dish meal for church fellowship.
—Linda
May 2012 -
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QuestionI am looking for the chicken stroganoff recipe. It is so good, like fried chicken on noodles. I misplaced the original card I received, and when I got your recent postcard, that was the first recipe my wife and I thought of. Please let me know if it is available. Thank you. --ChuckMarch 2012
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How do you make old-timey rolled dumplings? My mother-in-law made the best; she had a special bowl she mixed them up in (never really measuring), she knew where in the bowl to add the flour, etc., then she rolled them out thin on a brown grocery bag and let dry for a while, then dropped them in the hot broth. They were delicious!!!!!!
—Gloria
May 2012 -
QuestionHow do you keep baking pans from rusting? --VanessaMarch 2012
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QuestionI have had your recipe cards for years and love them!! My son's favorite is the creamy cheese potatoes, but I cannot find the recipe card anymore. Can you please add it? --DebraMarch 2012
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QuestionI would like to know the best way to make an olive oil-garlic dip for the fresh Italian bread I make with my meals for my man. --Laura AnnMarch 2012
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QuestionCan you use quick oats instead of rolled oats? Thank you. --RachMarch 2012






What Others Have To Say
Thank you for the advice of subtituting butter for shortening and the results you get in the difference.