Shortening substitute?

[stephylynn]

I am making some peanut butter truffles and it calls for shortening for the coating, is there anything that I can use instead of shortening? I hear that it adds an odd flavor.

Thanks,
Stephanie

[Alix]

You could try butter or margarine instead.

[Steve Kroll]

Lard.

[CWS4322]

When I used to make truffles, the recipes often included adding some parafin (sp) to the coating...wonder if coconut oil would work. I tend to use it for my skin in an attempt to get the wrinkles out of my birthday suit, but it is another type of shortening...

[bakechef]

my mom always put paraffin in her melted chocolate for dipping.

[Dawgluver]

Paraffin here too.

[jennyema]

Originally Posted by CWS4322

When I used to make truffles, the recipes often included adding some parafin (sp) to the coating...wonder if coconut oil would work. I tend to use it for my skin in an attempt to get the wrinkles out of my birthday suit, but it is another type of shortening...

Paraffin is wax.

Coconut oil isn't shortening. Shortening is oil that's been hydrogenated to be solid at room temp. That's why it's used for a coating.

[bakechef]

yes it is wax, and yes we put a bit in meted chocolate. I guess it was a shortcut instead of tempering, it seemed to work for mom.

[Addie]

Originally Posted by bakechef

yes it is wax, and yes we put a bit in meted chocolate. I guess it was a shortcut instead of tempering, it seemed to work for mom.

Gee, that gives me second thoughts. I have enough junk in my arteries. I would rather take the time to temper.

[Zhizara]

TV chefs are always adding a little butter to sauces to make it glossy. Wouldn't that be better with chocolate than wax?