What is a good replacement for Crisco?

A family soda bread recipe calls for Crisco. Is there a more natural or healthy replacement?

ameulensteen
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8 Comments

Pegeen March 17, 2013
As a lard substitution in other recipes (but not lard in soda bread), I've also used Spectrum with good results. As Pierino mentions, lard is not a common ingredient in a traditional soda bread recipe.
 
Jestei March 17, 2013
I second spectrum. Really good.
 
threefresheggs March 17, 2013
Crisco was developed as a substitute for lard. So if you eat meat, lard is the obvious choice. 25+ years veg, I have recently been having great success with coconut oil as a substitute for lard and it's impostors.
 
pierino March 16, 2013
I'm in the lard camp. Believe me, when my grandmother was making soda bread back on the old sod they'd never heard of Crisco. And I don't think she'd ever heard of a town south of Galway.
 
Pegeen March 17, 2013
I believe the Atlantic ocean is south of Galway - one of the best cities in Ireland. No wonder you're scrappy. :-)
 
spiffypaws March 16, 2013
I've never made soda bread, but if you sub butter for crisco in your recipe, crisco is 100% fat while butter contains 14-18% water.
 
ChefOno March 16, 2013

You can leave it out; it's neither traditional nor necessary. Or sub butter or lard (the fat's melting point isn't of any consequence in such an application).

This may be of interest: www.sodabread.info

 
Christine March 16, 2013
I use the Spectrum organic vegetable shortening when I make biscuits and some pastry. It works really well and has a nice, not chemical flavor.
 
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