As the holiday season approaches, home kitchens start filling with the sweet smell of cookies, pies, and cakes. Many of us reach for our grandmother’s old recipes, rich with tradition and taste. But for some of those nostalgic treats, there’s one key ingredient that’s a little less common these days: shortening.
While Crisco has long dominated vegetable-based shortening, a new competitor is entering the scene, ready to shake up traditional holiday baking.
A Fresh Take on Shortening: Avocado Oil by Chosen Foods
Crisco has been a staple in the world of vegetable shortenings since it hit the market in 1911. Known for its versatility, it’s used in countless recipes to create tender, flaky baked goods. But now, Crisco faces a challenger that may become a new favorite among health-conscious bakers.
Chosen Foods, best known for its popular avocado oil, has introduced an innovative oil shortening. What sets it apart? It’s touted as the first “clean ingredient” shortening in the market, free from the additives often found in traditional shortenings.
Why the Switch? The Benefits of Avocado Oil Shortening
This new shortening by Chosen Foods only contains one ingredient: fractionated avocado oil. In contrast, many traditional shortenings contain various ingredients and preservatives, including soybean oil, hydrogenated palm oil, and additives like TBHQ and citric acid. Here’s why this clean option might become your new go-to:
- Single, Natural Ingredient: Unlike many traditional shortenings containing many additives, Chosen Foods’ shortening is made from fractionated avocado oil alone. This simplicity appeals to those wanting to keep their ingredients as natural as possible.
- Neutral Flavor Profile: This avocado oil shortening is designed with a neutral flavor, meaning it won’t alter the taste of your recipes. Whether a buttery pie crust or delicate holiday cookies, the shortening adds texture without affecting flavor.
- High Smoke Point: Another big plus? Avocado oil has a higher smoke point than most other cooking oils, making this shortening an excellent choice for frying. You can fry, bake, and even make frosting without worrying about unwanted flavor or burning at high temperatures.
A Versatile Ingredient Perfect for All Your Baking Needs
Chosen Foods claims their Avocado Oil Shortening works well in any traditional shortening, butter, or lard recipe. This makes it a seamless substitute, especially for a cleaner alternative without compromising texture. The shortening can be used in:
- Baking: Add it to cookie dough, cake batters, and pie crusts for that perfect texture.
- Frosting: Create creamy, fluffy frosting with a smooth finish.
- Frying: Thanks to its high smoke point, it’s ideal for frying donuts, cakes, and other holiday treats.
Where to Find Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Shortening
If you’re ready to try this new product, you can find it nationwide at Target in a convenient 16-ounce tub. It’s also available on Chosen Foods’ website, so you can order it directly for your kitchen for the holiday season.
How Does It Compare to Crisco?
With Crisco being a household name for over a century, you might wonder how Chosen Foods’ new shortening measures up. Here’s a quick comparison
While Crisco remains famous for its versatility and flavor, Chosen Foods’ option is healthier and better suited for those who prefer natural ingredients in their baking essentials.
Why Choose Avocado Oil Shortening This Holiday Season?
Switching to Chosen Foods’ Avocado Oil Shortening might be the perfect way to add a healthy twist to your holiday treats. This new shortening is an excellent fit for health-focused bakers who still want the same buttery texture and flakiness that vegetable shortening provides.
So, if you’re looking to create desserts that taste just as good as Grandma’s while cutting down on unnecessary additives, this might be the perfect alternative. And who knows, Grandma might even approve of the update!
Conclusion
While Crisco has been the go-to for decades, Chosen Foods’ Avocado Oil Shortening offers a refreshing alternative just in time for holiday baking. Made with clean ingredients, it’s a new way to make family recipes even better—without sacrificing texture or taste.
So, this season, give your traditional recipes a modern twist. You might discover a new holiday baking staple!
FAQs
Fractionated avocado oil is made from the leftover avocado solids after oil extraction. This process makes the oil more stable and suitable for baking without extra additives.
Yes! This shortening can replace butter or lard in baking recipes. Its neutral flavor and high smoke point make it an excellent option for any recipe calling for fat.
It’s available nationally at Target and online through Chosen Foods’ website in a 16-ounce tub.
Avocado oil shortening is made from a single, natural ingredient without added preservatives, making it a cleaner option than most traditional shortenings.
No, Chosen Foods designed it with a neutral flavor profile so that it won’t alter the taste of your recipes.
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