Baking in Germany

[Tea Girl]

Usually I don't have any problem here with cooking but some of my friends, both Germans and Americans, are going to have a 4th of July picnic. I wanted to make cupcakes as I am in charge of dessert and wanted something typical American. Most recipes I could find called for shortening, I looked at couple of sites for the translation and it said either "Shortening" or "Backfett". I went to the big supermarket that has a very good selection of things, both German and international, and couldn't find it. I asked someone that worked there, and she looked puzzled and she asked her co-worker and the co-worker said she never heard of something like that.

Anyway, eventually I found a couple things which I thought it might be the right thing. One was called Back Margarine.

The other was Streichfett

Description of the Streichfett (in German)

I think most likely the Streichfett would be the correct thing from reading the description on the website for it and opening the packet and looking at it, but I was wondering if anyone that lived in North America and Germany could confirm this for me. I have backup plans if it doesn't work I would really like to make cupcakes for something a bit different.

[Koechin (Chef)]

Shortening =Margariene! Don't use Streichfett,(I think it has oil added to keep it soft, for easy spreading) but solid hunk or sticks. . Personally, though I use butter.. The texture may be slightly different, but the taste is so much better. Did you look for cup cake recipes here on Zaar? Good luck and Happy 4th celebration. In Germany.

[Tea Girl]

Koechin (Chef) wrote:
Shortening =Margariene! Don't use Streichfett,(I think it has oil added to keep it soft, for easy spreading) but solid hunk or sticks. . Personally, though I use butter.. The texture may be slightly different, but the taste is so much better. Did you look for cup cake recipes here on Zaar? Good luck and Happy 4th celebration. In Germany.

Yeah, I found the recipes here and it said very clearly in both to not use butter as that the texture will be off. There were some recipes with butter, but they had lower reviews so I thought the shortening vs. butter was a factor. I'll try it with the Margarine and see what happens.

I know the 4th of July thing is a bit strange here but I have a few friends here from the UK, and we did something for Burns Night, St. Patrick's Day and St. George's Day so they suggested we do something for the 4th of July. We forgot poor St. David, but we will do something for him next year.

Thanks for your advice!

[Koechin (Chef)]

I know you can now buy BOX CAKE Mixes in Germany. Why not use one of those and use the instructions for cup cakes!

[Koechin (Chef)]

Here is another very high rated recipe you might want to check. Coconut Cupcakes With White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

[HeatherFeather]

Look for Palmin in the bigger German groceries. Another option would be Copha, but Palmin is more commonly available.

Both are derived from a coconut fat base, but they do not taste like coconut. It is a Crisco-like shortening and comes in block form. http://www.palmin.com/ has some info (in German) and photos.