I was just wondering if anyone has luck using regular veg. shortening in the buttercream for this recipe. I don't really want to order high ratio unless absolutely necessary.

as long as it has trans fats, it will work. Not as nice of a product as with hi ratio, but will work. HTH!

Dying to try SugarShack's recipe - what exactly is hi-ratio shortening and where can I find it? Thanks

I use aldi's version. Works better than fareway's generic version. Walmart's works okay, too.

Like was said above - as long as there are trans fats it will work okay.

I love her recipe and used to do it with store brand shortening,but I have since bought some sweetex from f o n d a n t s o u r c e . c o m (no spaces) and it makes a HUGE difference.

I've been reading the trans fat grams on the shortening cans at every grocery store I go in, trying to see if I can get out of having to order the high ratio off the net. The only one's I've seen are only 1 maybe 2 grams. I was wondering, what does the high ratio stuff have?

does the sweetex come in smaller volumes than 50lbs? It would take me forever to go through that much!

i like sugar shack, it's not as sweet as some others, i just made some last night, i just use store brand crisco it crusts good for me.

my sweetex has 3 grams trans fat I think.

Aldi's, Walmart and storebrand 3% transfat works for me!

[list=]
Aldi and walmart store brand in mary area are now trans-free. Which stinks cuz I live in a very rural area. [/list]

I too have found that my local Aldi's and Walmart brands are now trans fat free...but we have another grocery store that sells a generic brand called "Best Choice" and it has 2.5 or 3 grams...I can't remember which...but it was the only shortening that had trans fat. I bought 4 big tubs just to stock up.

I use regular vegetable shortening with the transfats all the time, and my icing is smooth as can be.

dalis, what kills me is the exorbitant cost of shipping. I much prefer the smoothness and handling of hi-ratio, but having to mail-order most of my supplies reduces me to using house brands. (I worry, though, about the continuing availability with the move to trans-fat free everything.)

Where do you get the shortening (and brand name?) you use Torchwood?

I'm not sure I understand how it can be hi-ratio and trans-fat-free? I thought the trans fats was what made the shortening hi-ratio? I'm confused. ha ha I do know I would much rather use the trans-fat free and non-hydrogenated version if it has good results!

Thanks!
Debi