What's the difference between the two? I'm having a heck of a time with my buttercream so I thought I'd better break down and try one of these out! I'm not sure which one to try first, I was hoping somebody could tell me the difference.
Also, is there a site that sells both? Where do you all buy yours?
Thank you!!!!
Sweetex is one of the brand names for high ratio shortening. Alpine is also another. There are a lot of threads about it if you want to search for "High ratio" in the forums. I'm not up on the chemical jargon but it has something to do with more emulsifiers and the water ratio...
I happen to be able to buy Sweetex by the pound at my local cake decorating shop.
I like it because it is less greasy feeling/tasting than regular ole' Crisco.
Does it make a better buttercream than with Crisco? It seems since they changed Crisco, my buttercream is just not turning out. It's really soft and falls off the cake. I just made some this weekend with a different brand it looked grainy and looked kind of like it separated. If that makes any sense? It didn't even look appetizing. I'm in desparate need to save my buttercream!! 
I buy mine from SYSCO. My sister is picking up another cube for me next week.
here is list of names hi ratio goes by. You will not be disappointed in using it.
http://www.sysco.com/aboutus/contactus.asp 4-4-07
item number 4003869 shortening cake cube all vegetable
(50lbs for $29, local store in Hayward (510) 481-1515, called cake shortening)
http://www.foodservicedirect.com/index.cfm/S/13/CLID/146/N/4471/Hunt_Wesson_-_Wesson_Shortening.ht (50lbs super quick blend 50lbs $56.45) 4/4/07
Other brands: Alpine, Biscot 140, Blendex, COVO S.M., Cremelite, CRISCO HI-RATIO, Golden Glow, XXX crème, Monarch Covo Sm (Icings & Cakes), Monarch Covo Sm - Non Hydro
Monarch XXX Cream (for Icings), Monarch Artisan Cremin (for buttercream icing - just whip & use)
Monarch M300 (Icing Base), Canbra Hi Ratio (Cakes) AND SweeteX Hi Ratio Shortening
http://www.bakemark.com/ (32621 Central Ave., Union City 510-487-8188, plus recipes) 4/4/07
high ratio has special emulsifiers in it so that you can use less of it than you would reg. vegetable shortening but still use the same amount of powdered sugar or even more. It also will absorb more liquids too without breaking down. That is: high amount of sugar/liquid to low amount of shortening...so it is High(sugar/liquid) ratio shortening.
It makes a buttercream that is much smoother, fluffier and less greasy than using reg. vegetable shortening.
Thank you so much!!!!! I'm definately checking it out. I will order some, hopefully I can have it by the weekend!
Sweet Celebrations sells sweet tex, it will be a little more exspensive. This way you can try it and see if you like it. This will be a quick solution to your problems while you look around for a cheaper source. Sweet Celebrations has several stores in minnesota, maybe one of them will be close to you.
justsweet, I feel like an idiot but I cannot find the shortening on Sysco's site for the life of me!! That sounds like such a good price.
I called the only cake supply store in town and they do sell it but it is almost $10 for 3 lbs.!!!!! I'll keep trying...
Have you looked at this site? I am getting ready to place an order and try both of these hi ration shortenings. I will most likely buy 3 - 5 # of each. Shipping and Handling will be around $7.25.
darkchocolate
http://www.thebakerskitchen.com/BAKEWARE_SHOPPE/Baking_Ingredients/Food_Items/Buttercream_&_Shortenings/ready-made_buttercream_&_shortenings.htm
Sweetex is $1.89 #
Alpine is $1.69#
Ok, so I found a small tub at my local cake store. Now my question is, do I add the same amount as I would Crisco or do I use less? If so, how much do I use?
THanks!!
Everything you ever wanted to know about hi-ratio shortening:
(Recipes, substituting for Crisco, reviews and more.)
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-219731-.html
GFS store locator and on-line source:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-262463-.html
HTH
So, we don't have a GFS store here and I tried to order from Sysco but I don't have an official business. So I don't know what to do! 
I'll probably just have to order some on line but I hate to pay such high shipping. I asked the walmart bakery if I could order some through them and they said no. Any other ideas??
chefswarehouse.com has the 50lb tub for 72.00 plus 26.00 shipping i thought that wasnt too bad
i bought 8 1lb tubs from
http://www.thebakerskitchen.com/BAKEWARE_SHOPPE/Baking_Ingredients/Food_Items/Buttercream_&_Shortenings/ready-made_buttercream_&_shortenings.htm
THanks onceuponacake, that's good to know.
Is there a difference between Hi-Ratio and Sweetex? Do they taste different? Is one better than the other? I noticed Sweetex is more expensive, anyone know why??
Not sure if this ever was answered (you may have found it in the threads JanH linked to) but I only use 3/4 c Sweetex per 1C Crisco that the recipe calls for. Some people use 1/2 c and some people substitute 1 to 1. But supposedly it can absorb more powdered sugar because of the emulsification or something like that.
Yeah, I read that so I used 1 cup instead of 2 and it seemed real sugary to me. Has that happened to you? I think next time I'll use 3/4c. What brand do you use?
THanks awolf, that does help! How big of tubs do they sell at your store? I just called my store and they said they could order me a 50lb tub and it would cost something like $83. They sell the ck hi-ratio brand, so I went on country kitchen's site and ordered a 50lb. tub and with shipping it was $77. So I just ordered from them because it'll be delevered to my door for cheaper! Crazy.
I originally bought #3 of hi ratio shortening from Country Kitchens. Last week I bought 4# each of Sweetex and Alpine to try, although it hasn't come in yet.
I have experimented with the hi ratio from Country Kitchens and I have only been happy with the 1:1 ratio. I have tried 1/2 C : 1 C ratio and 3/4 C : 1 C ratio and I wasn't happy with my results. I found when I used less hi ratio my BC was to sugary on the outside and I didn't like the way it felt. With one cake I had to make more icing (1:1 ratio) and I iced the cake over. After the cake had crusted and set for 1 hour or so, I couldn't do anything with it. I even tried a hot wet and dry icing spatula and couldn't make a difference in the icing.
I will play around will some small batches of Alpine and Sweetex to see what works for me.
darkchocolate
I originally bought #3 of hi ratio shortening from Country Kitchens. Last week I bought 4# each of Sweetex and Alpine to try, although it hasn't come in yet.
I have experimented with the hi ratio from Country Kitchens and I have only been happy with the 1:1 ratio. I have tried 1/2 C : 1 C ratio and 3/4 C : 1 C ratio and I wasn't happy with my results. I found when I used less hi ratio by BC was to sugary on the outside and I didn't like the way it felt. With one cake I had to make more icing (1:1 ratio) and I iced the cake over. After the cake had crusted and set for 1 hour or so, I couldn't do anything with it. I even tried a hot wet and dry icing spatula and couldn't make a difference in the icing.
I will play around will some small batches of Alpine and Sweetex to see what works for me.
darkchocolate
Let us know how you like those!
I usually use 3/4 cup of Alpine or Sweetex per pound of powdered sugar (instead of 1 cup with Crisco).
Alpine has the highest melting point, so if heat/humidity is an issue in your area, that would be the way to go. Otherwise, Sweetex does just fine.
Play around with the ratios--you can always use a bit more.
I also use 1 teaspoon of butter extract for every 3/4 cup (or one cup) of Alpine or Sweetex that I use.
flavacakes - My local cake decorating store divides it up and sells it by the pound - $1.89 each. I don't do a lot of cakes so if I'm going to be busy, I just grab a few pounds to keep on hand.
My local store sells 3 lb. tubs for almost $10!!!! I'm trying to find a way to get some cheaper but am not having too much luck. I just ordered some from country kitchens, after shipping it's $77. for a 50 lb. tub.
Thanks everyone for your help, I really appreciate it!
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