Has anyone tried mixing hi ratio shortening with the new crisco? I have tried the new crisco and hate it but hi ratio shortening is fairly expensive. Just wondering if anyone has tried this yet?

punkyf

I'm sure you could use both in a buttercream recipe. I finally found the solution to my trans fat free Crisco problem...Indydebi's recipe. It stopped my sliding icing problems and I use pure Crisco.

IMHO, mixing hi-ratio and Crisco doesn't obtain the maximum performance or benefit from either product. And as you noted, it isn't the most cost effective way to achieve a standard American buttercream.

If you want to replace Crisco with a different standard shortening there are other brands that (still) contain transfat.

If you want to explore hi-ratio shortening, use it in a hi-ratio shortening recipe so that you can see the difference in performance: improved mouth feel, ability to absorb more liquid without breaking down, and even smoother buttercream (as observed by some members).

Also, there are more varieties of hi-ratio besides Sweetex and Alpine. Perhaps one of them, like CK brand would be more cost effective for you (especially if you're determined to mix it up with Crisco).

BTW, I would recommend using 2/3 cup of hi-ratio as a substitute for every 1 cup of Crisco in any Crisco recipe that you're adapting. Or 1 cup of hi-ratio per every 7 cups of powdered sugar in your recipe.

Indydebi's Crisco based buttercream recipe:

http://cakecentral.com/recipes/6992/indydebis-crisco-based-buttercream-icing

Hi-ratio shortening recipes:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-633723-.html

HTH

Thank you so much for the replys. I may try indydebi's recipe and see if I like it. The cost of the hi ratio shortening isn't even as much of an issue as is getting it in a small enough amount. I only do cakes for family and a few friends and 50lbs would go bad before I could use it.

Thanks again,

punkyf

I, too, only bake for family and friends so when I ordered 50 lbs of Sweetex, I vacuum packed several packages so that the packages were flat and only about two inches high and put them in my freezer. I take them out as I need them. I haven't noticed any difference in consistency or performance.

Thank you so much, vicki3336 & JanH, for the freezing idea. I really like the way hi ratio shortening mixes, looks and tastes. I will start looking for good prices soon.

Thanks again. This site continues to be so wonderful.

punkyf