What Are Some Substitutes for Shortening in Baking Recipes?

Cooking oil is used when a recipe calls for shortening to be melted. Cooks use the same measurement of oil as they would shortening. When substituting with lard, bakers must be sure to use 2 tablespoons more than a cup for every cup needed. Lard tends to alter the taste of a recipe, so it is a good idea to test it. Butter and margarine brown more quickly than shortening does; therefore it is recommended to bake items at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time when using these substitutions.