You can make a cake without shortening by using alternative ingredients that provide similar fat and moisture content. Shortening is a solid fat used in baking to create a tender texture in cakes, but you can substitute it with other ingredients. Here's a basic recipe for a cake without shortening:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (or substitute with vegetable oil, applesauce, or mashed bananas for a healthier option)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (or non-dairy milk like almond milk, soy milk, etc.)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
If you're using butter, soften it to room temperature. If you're using a substitute like vegetable oil, applesauce, or mashed bananas, add it to the dry ingredients at this stage.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. If you're using butter, add it to the wet ingredients at this stage if it was not already added in the previous step.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and well-mixed. Be careful not to overmix, as this could lead to a tough cake.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cakes as they bake.
Once done, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Now you have a delicious cake without using shortening. You can also experiment with different flavors and add-ins like cocoa powder, fruit purees, or nuts to create variations of this basic cake recipe. Enjoy your homemade treat!