I need to buy another 50 lb block of hi-ratio shortening and was wondering if anyone knew where to get it cheaper than around $80 per block with cheap shipping? Everyone loves my icing since i have been using the hi-ratio shortening but it is so expensive. My local bakery charges so much for it that it's not worth it to buy from them. Any websites you could post? Thanks in advance!

can't help but I get mine for $69.95 in central FL..

that is CK brand.. i think sweetex is $90.

Just telling you how much i pay so you can compare

I paid $95 for Sweetex from Oassis which was about $10 cheaper than from my local bakery supply guy--not exactly local-90 miles away. Is CK brand just as good as sweetex?

i know this doesn't have to do with how much for hi-ratio shortening but just wondering what the difference is between this and regular shortening and do you use the same amount in your recipes as you would with the normal shortening?

Diane, I have not tried Sweetex. I was delighted with CK so I figure ill stick with that until I dont know when




Chloe, you use the same amount....as for the difference, i know there are threads discussing the differences of makeup. For me it makes a better, smoother less greasy BC.

$80 is about average.

I buy mine 3 lbs at a time for $7.45 from counterykitchensa.com . That means I'm spending $125 for 50 lbs, but I typically can't afford to spend $80 in one pop.

I do prefer Sweetex, though, so when I get ahead of the game I splurge on 50lbs of Sweetex.

I should have said "I" use the same amount

Thanks for more info Jan

Rocketgirl899, have you tried any of the recipes specifically written for hi-ratio? You might be pleasantly surprised by being able to use less product to get the same or better results.

Forget to add to previous post that cakemanOH recommends using 1 cup of hi-ratio per 7 cups of powdered sugar. If substituting hi-ratio in Crisco recipe, use 2/3 cup hi-ratio for each cup of Crisco.

But when all is said and done, nothing matters more than personal taste preference.

I find I have to add a lot of salt and butter flavoring to compete with all of the PS needed when using hi-ratio shortening, but I love working with it. I used vailla creamer, 2 1/2 t salt and 3 drams of LoRann butter flavoring for my last batch and I loved the taste.

I too have wondered about the CK brand. It use to be quite a bit cheaper, but it's about the same price as Sweetex on the Baker's Kitchen website listed above.

hmmm never thought about it.. just followed directions...

so when I make Nick gumpaste can I not use Hi-ratio, or how much should i use? or should i not waste the expensive stuff on it? I don't wanna screw up the product!

Rocketgirl, I too live in Central Florida and have been looking for a place to buy hi ratio shortening. Where are you shopping? Thanks!

While I like high ratio shortenings, I believe it has transfats in it.

I'm in Washington and as of Jan. 2009 it is required (if you are a legal business) that 0 transfat ingredients are used. California is the other state going non transfat. The health department will be looking for this in your ingredients.

Bummer!

hey Forthwife,

There are two places that I am aware of.

#1 D&G Ocassions. They are off Herndon Ave. Near Fashion square mall.
--you can buy sweetex in 50lb blocks for $90
--you can get CK in 3# for 8.99 and 50# for $69.99

This palce is awesome. Lou (younger latina women) is a home cake decorator and is AMAZING, always helping me out This is an awesome store. Has pretty much everything. Pretty fair prices as well. Plus its a mom and pop shop so I like it

#2 Jesters Party supply-- located in Kissimee just south of 522
I saw 3# of hi ratio (don't remember the brand) for $7.99. Didn't pay much attention to that stuff because I just bought 50#.
This is a much larger store, with more gumpaste supplies, maybe more supplies in general, but they are much further away and there prices on most things alil more expensive. Haven't had much time to browse there but this place is huge! Feels alil too much like party city tho and it is MUCH further away from me. at least 30 min.. and OBT is a devil if you get ever light.

HTH

if you have a GFS you can get the sweettex- (they'll order it for you if they don't carry it at that store)But, it's $89 so it's the same but no shipping costs.

CK does have a lighter texture than sweetex and every batch of CK I've bought has little lumps. They are easy to mix out- but I was surprised to see them.
Sweetex is more solid-looks like a solid crisco - I use exactly the same amount as I would crisco. The difference for me is in the recipe I use one cup of real butter. That softens the hi-ratio texture and makes it taste pretty incredible. I use a crusting icing recipe. I.e. if your recipe calls for 3 cups of crisco- then do 2 of hi ratio and one of butter.

Hi ratio takes colors better than crisco too

Oh, that's a good thing!! I should have figured with the change in the law that they would accomodate. I'll have to order some and see how well it works. Thank you JanH for the info!