Hate To Measure Shortening? Try This!
Decorating By good36 Updated 31 Oct 2007 , 5:07am by mezzaluna
I hate to measure shortening for my frosting. So I have been buying the Crisco pre-measured sticks, which is very expensive.
Anyway.... I bought a stainless steel ice cream scoop and it works great!!! Mine is the size of a 1/4 cup, so 4 equals one cup. I am so excited and it is so easy. Shortening just slides out with the flip of the handle. It is the old fashion style with the squeeze handle, but in stainless steel. I found mine on sale for $4.00. What a deal!
Just thought I would share.
judy
This is the one I use; i got so sick of measuring shortening. Someday I'll graduate to a digital scale!! http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13126780
I also use the ice cream scoop to fill my cup cakes...
I weigh mine on my electronic scale. I don't use measuring cups for anything. I measured out what I always use for my shortening, sugar, etc., weighed it once, wrote down the weights and that way I never have to use the measuring cups again. I measure my liquids on there too! 1 cup = eigh oz. etc..no need to eye it on the flat counter to see when it reached the right line.
Hey Judy,
I just wanted to tell you thanks for taking the time to post your tip. I can't wait to try it. I've been struggling with my shortening now and I've tried several other things, such as the measure all cup but nothing is easy. This sounds super easy. I can't wait! Thanks so much!!-Alison
I also hate to measure shortening....I have resorted to lining a 1 cup measuring cup with saran wrap, filling it up and then pop the whole thing out and wrap it using the extra saran that was sticking out around the cup. I do this to the whole can and then put the pre-measured 1 cups in a large ziplock and when I need it for frosting or pound cake, I pop it out.
If I get the scoop you are talking about, I could just plop two scoops on a piece of saran and skip the 'lining the measuring cup' part...... I also tried one of those funky cup things that extrude it (made for measuring messy stuff like peanut butter and shortening) but it was such a pain to clean, it wasn't worth it! Thanks again for the tip 
I have the Pampered Chef measuring cup, too, but you still have to fill it up and squish the shortening down to make sure it is full. I am pumped about trying the scoop.
I'm with Elserj, I too use the Pampered Chef push measuring cup. I have used it for years, I would be lost without it! When I go to a PC party and they ask what is your favorite product I have to say it is my push measuring cup!!
~ihavasweet2th~
Darn! You mean I have been measuring shortening the hard way for nothing!!! Good grief! Why didn't I think of that a looooooooong time ago! I have one of the old fashioned scoops you are talking about and use it for ice cream frequently!
You are a smart cookie for thinking to measure it out like you did! Now..............I am going to go measure a scoop of shortening in mine and see how much it is. This has to be an all-time greatest tip for me! Thank you for sharing this!!!! 
Oh yes... I use the (I think it's) #12 which is 1/2 cup and it makes it so easy. I scoop it directly out of the hi-ratio box, level it with a bread knife, then flip it right into the bowl! Too easy and much cleaner!
Melvira!! What is your excuse for not sharing such a valuable tip with us!!!!???? Giiiiiirrrrrl, scooping that hi ratio out of the 5 gallon bucket is the part I HATE most about making frosting and can't believe I've had one of these scoops right in front of me everytime I make frosting! Oh my Looooooord! 
Oh yes... I use the (I think it's) #12 which is 1/2 cup and it makes it so easy. I scoop it directly out of the hi-ratio box, level it with a bread knife, then flip it right into the bowl! Too easy and much cleaner!
Melvira!! What is your excuse for not sharing such a valuable tip with us!!!!???? Giiiiiirrrrrl, scooping that hi ratio out of the 5 gallon bucket is the part I HATE most about making frosting and can't believe I've had one of these scoops right in front of me everytime I make frosting! Oh my Looooooord!
I can't give you everything I've got in my reserves, can I? A girl's gotta have some mystique!! Again, this is something I figured most people knew about. I rarely think I've come up with a unique idea... I guess I should be less sure that I'm behind the curve, eh?
I place a piece of saran wrap into the measuring cup and after I get it filled with the shortening I just grab the wrap and plop it into the bowl and the cup is 'clean'.
Susie
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