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Steps to Reducing Trans Fat and Saturated Fat in Recipes (FN1687, Reviewed Aug. 2019)

Let’s practice our heart-healthy fat knowledge by modifying a brownie recipe.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D.

Tanya Lillehoff, Program Assistant (former)


Original Brownie Recipe

60 servings

Per serving: 2.5 grams trans fat and 2.5 grams saturated fat

26 ounces eggs (about 15 total)
36 ounces granulated sugar
10 ounces shortening, melted
8 ounces stick margarine, melted
2 tablespoons vanilla
14 ounces cake flour
10 ounces cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
12 ounces nuts, chopped finely

Step 1. Identify ingredients that likely would contain trans or saturated fat. Keep an eye out for margarine, vegetable shortening or high-fat dairy products.

• If you guessed the margarine and shortening, you are correct.

Step 2. Substitute one type of fat for another. You have a couple of options:

a. Substitute liquid vegetable oil for margarine: stick margarine and butter contain about 80 percent fat and 20 percent water. When substituting oil for margarine and butter, you need to make up for the water, too. Another option would be to choose a recipe that already calls for vegetable oil instead of margarine or shortening. These recipes already have been formulated and tested using oil and most likely would require the least amount of trial and error.

b. Substitute liquid vegetable oil for shortening; shortening is made up of almost all fat with little or no water. You can substitute liquid vegetable oil for the shortening in a 1-to-1 ratio without having to add water.

Step 3. Mix and bake, then enjoy a heart-healthy brownie!

Revised Brownie Recipe

60 servings

Per serving: 0 grams trans fat and 1.5 grams saturated fat

26 ounces eggs (about 15 total)
36 ounces granulated sugar
16 ounces canola oil
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons vanilla
14 ounces cake flour
10 ounces cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
12 ounces nuts, chopped, fine

In our example, we were able to completely eliminate trans fat and reduce the saturated fat content by 1 gram per serving.

To learn more about sodium, visit: www.ag.ndsu.edu/food

 

Filed under: food-preparation, nutrition
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