Whats difference between shortening, margarine, crisco and oil when baking or making pie crusts?
Crisco is shortening. Old-fashioned margarine is colored shortening, but most of the stuff you can buy in the US these days is full of water and not suitable for baking. Pie crusts made with oil require special recipes. The very best pie crust is made with either all lard or half real butter and half lard. An all butter crust will not withstand the high temperatures required by some pies.
