Out of Crisco, one case
Crisco substitute UK: best alternatives for British baking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Trex
Same amount as the Crisco
The best Crisco substitutes in the UK are Trex (1:1 ratio) for identical results, Cookeen (1:1 ratio) for similar texture, or butter (1:1 ratio) for rich flavor. Each provides similar functionality with different characteristics.
- The tweak —
- Use exactly like Crisco - room temperature for creaming methods, cold for pie crusts and pastries.
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full Crisco card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Crisco |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trexbaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Cookeenbaking | Same amount |
| 3 | Buttercookies | Same amount |
| 4 | Lardpie crusts | Same amount |
| 5 | Coconut oilvegan baking | Same amount |
Trex
neutral taste · similar to Crisco
Trex is the most popular Crisco substitute in the UK. It's a vegetable shortening with very similar properties to Crisco and works almost identically in most recipes.
- Best for
- baking, pie crusts, cookies, cakes, frosting
- Prep
- Use exactly like Crisco - room temperature for creaming methods, cold for pie crusts and pastries.
Most similar to Crisco in texture and melting properties.
Cookeen
neutral taste · similar to Crisco
Cookeen is another popular vegetable shortening in the UK. It has similar properties to Crisco and works well in most baking applications with slight texture differences.
- Best for
- baking, pie crusts, cookies, cakes, frosting
- Prep
- Use exactly like Crisco - room temperature for creaming methods, cold for pie crusts and pastries.
Similar to Crisco with slightly different texture.
Butter
rich, buttery
Butter is the most popular substitute for Crisco in the UK. It adds rich, buttery flavor and creates tender, moist baked goods. Use room temperature butter for creaming methods.
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, muffins, biscuits, pie crusts, brownies
- Texture
- tender, moist
- Prep
- Use room temperature butter for creaming methods. For pie crusts and pastries, use cold butter and work quickly.
Adds rich, buttery flavor and creates tender, moist baked goods.
Lard
neutral taste · flaky, tender
Lard is excellent for baking and creates the flakiest pastries. It has a neutral flavor and works well in both sweet and savory baked goods. It's widely available in the UK.
- Best for
- pie crusts, biscuits, pastries, cookies, cakes
- Prep
- Use cold lard for pie crusts and pastries. For creaming methods, use room temperature lard.
Creates the flakiest pastries and has a neutral flavor.
Coconut oil
slight coconut flavor
Coconut oil is good for vegan baking and works well in most recipes. It's solid at room temperature and creates tender baked goods. It's widely available in UK supermarkets.
- Best for
- vegan baking, cookies, cakes, muffins, pie crusts
- Texture
- tender, moist
- Prep
- Use room temperature coconut oil. If it's too hard, warm it slightly to soften.
Solid at room temperature, works well in vegan baking.
How it behaves in this recipe
Crisco is not widely available in the UK, but there are excellent British alternatives. Trex and Cookeen are the most direct substitutes, while butter is the most popular choice for home bakers. The key is choosing the right substitute for your recipe and desired results.
Tips for substituting Crisco
10 tips- Trex is the most direct substitute for Crisco in the UK
- Cookeen works similarly to Crisco with slight texture differences
- Butter adds rich flavor but may need liquid adjustment
- Lard creates the flakiest pastries and is traditional in British baking
- Coconut oil works well for vegan options
- For creaming method recipes, use room temperature fat
- For pie crusts and pastries, use cold fat and work quickly
- Test your substitution in a small batch before making large quantities
- Consider the flavor profile of your recipe when choosing a substitute
- Some recipes may need slight adjustments in baking time or temperature
Notes on Crisco
- For most similar results, use Trex
- For similar texture, use Cookeen
- For rich flavor, use butter
- For flakiness, use lard
- For vegan options, use coconut oil
- For traditional British baking, use butter or lard
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best Crisco substitute in the UK?
Trex is the most popular Crisco substitute in the UK, followed by Cookeen and butter. Trex has very similar properties to Crisco and works almost identically in most recipes. Butter adds rich flavor and creates tender, moist baked goods.
Can I use Trex instead of Crisco in all recipes?
Yes, Trex can be used instead of Crisco in most recipes using a 1:1 ratio. Trex has very similar properties to Crisco and works almost identically. Use it exactly like Crisco - room temperature for creaming methods, cold for pie crusts and pastries.
What's the difference between Trex and Crisco?
Trex and Crisco are both vegetable shortenings with very similar properties. The main difference is brand and slight variations in texture. Trex is the UK equivalent of Crisco and works almost identically in most recipes.
Can I use butter instead of Crisco in British baking?
Yes, butter can be used instead of Crisco in British baking using a 1:1 ratio. Butter adds rich, buttery flavor and creates tender, moist baked goods. It's the most popular choice for home bakers in the UK.
Is there a vegan substitute for Crisco in the UK?
Yes, coconut oil is an excellent vegan substitute for Crisco in the UK. It's widely available in supermarkets and works well in most recipes. It has a slight coconut flavor and creates tender baked goods.