Substitutions: Fats, Butters, Oil, Shortening

You'll notice that there are several opinions presented for some of these substitutions. We recommend that you experiment yourself. Comments with your experiences are welcome!

Instead of...

butter or shortening

use half peanut butter in chocolate chip cookies or other cookies you'd like a peanut butter flavor

3 tablespoons flax seed meal per 1 tablespoon fat or oil

butter

use applesauce in equal amount plus a little flour (check for consistency)

use pumpkin in equal amount for cookies, breads, muffins, etc.

oil

applesauce to replace part or all of the oil in cakes, muffins, cookies, etc. May change flavor slightly. Another sister told us that this substitution gives a spongy/rubbery consistency and muffins stick to the papers. She recommended using half oil, half applesauce.

pumpkin to replace all oil in baked goods, or up to half

use applesauce to substitute for up to half of the amount of oil in a baking recipe

use light olive oil (not extra virgin)

shortening

pumpkin in equal amount

cooked, mashed white beans work with up to half the shortening replaced with beans. Experiment to replace an increased amount.