Ingredient

Cake Shortening

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Source

Not animal-derived

Allergen

Role in food

Shortening is added to baked goods to make them tender and moist. Its solid …

What it is

Cake shortening is a solid fat, typically made from vegetable oils like soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil. It is processed to be stable at room temperature, giving it a solid, pliable texture. This processing often involves hydrogenation, which changes the oil into a semi-solid fat.

Why it's used

Shortening is added to baked goods to make them tender and moist. Its solid fat structure coats flour particles, preventing gluten development and resulting in a softer texture. It is commonly found in cakes, cookies, pastries, and pie crusts.

Health notes

Shortening is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is a source of calories and fat, and like other fats, excessive intake can contribute to weight gain. Some shortenings historically contained trans fats due to hydrogenation, but manufacturers have largely reformulated to reduce or eliminate these. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated fats and oils, including those used in shortening, and have established guidelines for their safe use.

Allergen info

Shortening is not a major allergen unless derived from soy or peanut oil, which are among the 9 FDA major allergens. It does not contain gluten.

Products containing Cake Shortening

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Byerly Foods International Lunds & Byerlys, Shortcake, Lemon & Cream, Lemon & Cream Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 40% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 33% DV per serving 338kcal 3.8Protein 21.2Fat 35Carbs Phil's Cake Box Bakeries, Inc. Iced Fudge Brownie Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes 456kcal 3.5Protein 22.8Fat 61.4Carbs Byerly Foods International Lunds & Byerlys, Strawberry Shortcake Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 40% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 33% DV per serving 338kcal 3.8Protein 21.2Fat 33.8Carbs Byerly Foods International Cake Square Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 45% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 38% DV per serving 362kcal 3.8Protein 25Fat 32.5Carbs Lunds Inc Truffle Torte, Truffle Chocolate High in saturated fat — 140% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 52% DV per serving 442kcal 2.8Protein 29.3Fat 43.6Carbs President Baking Company, Inc. Lemon Cake, Lemon Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in added sugars — 64% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 23% DV per serving 256kcal 3.2Protein 9.6Fat 40.8Carbs President Baking Company, Inc. Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in added sugars — 68% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 32% DV per serving 304kcal 4Protein 12.8Fat 45.6Carbs

Carlo's Bakery Lackawanna LLC Vanilla Rainbow Cake, Vanilla Rainbow Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 55% DV per serving High in added sugars — 70% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 25% DV per serving 419kcal 2.9Protein 22.9Fat 53.3Carbs Carlo's Bakery Lackawanna LLC Black & White Cake, Black & White Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 40% DV per serving High in added sugars — 58% DV per serving 404kcal 3.0Protein 20.2Fat 53.5Carbs Byerly Foods International Lunds & Byerlys, Strawberry Shortcake Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 40% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 33% DV per serving 338kcal 3.8Protein 21.2Fat 33.8Carbs SureGreen Mulch, LLC Chocolate Three Desserts In One Cake, Chocolate Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 50% DV per serving High in added sugars — 68% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 27% DV per serving 377kcal 4.6Protein 18.5Fat 49.2Carbs Byerly Foods International Lunds & Byerlys, Yule Log Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes High in saturated fat — 55% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 34% DV per serving 435kcal 5.9Protein 27.1Fat 44.7Carbs

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.