I need to purchase frosting shortening and the lady at the cake store wasn't sure how many cups of shortening are in a one pound tub. I use 1 1/2 cups per batch of butter cream and I thought there was almost enough for another batch minus about 1/2 cup. TIA

Lol, you pretty much answered your own question, there are two cups in a pound which is 16 oz. So after you make a batch you would be left with a half of a cup

 2 cups shortening = one pound

AI recently purchased a 3 lb. container of Hi Ratio shortening and was able to measure out about 7 1/2 cups packing it as much as I was able each time I measured.

Brands of shortening yield different amounts. Fats are typically 2 cups = one pound, so I've found it safe to use that ratio for all brands of shortening.

By saying minus a half a cup that would mean three cups being short 1/2 cup. Solids don't measure the same as liquids that's why I was asking. Thank you.

Elaine that's what I thought your measurements sound right. I just remember when making a second batch of icing having to scrounge up about a half cup of hi ratio from another container. Thank you.

Oh well, glad you figured it out. This is one of the reasons I always use a scale. 

My mom used an unusual measuring method. If she needed half a cup, she'd put 1/2 cup water into a measuring cup and then added shortening until the water reached the 1 cup line.

But still, it's more accurate and less messy if you measure by weight. Especially when working with an ingredient like shortening.

Weigh, weigh, weigh.............for accuracy and consistency.

Start converting your recipes to grams or ounces and you'll make life much better for yourself.

Thank you everyone.

1 cup of shortening weighs 6.50 ounces. I always weigh it out rather than measure, much easier so if you take 16 ounces divided by 6.5 a pound of shortening equals 2.46 cups. like I said, much easier to weigh it out and not as messy as trying to put it in a cup and then get it out.

Thank you cakegrandma