Interesterified or blended shortening compositions having a relatively low
proportion of trans fatty acid are described. The shortening compositions
are made by blending or interesterifying low-linolenic soybean oil,
including from 1 to 3.5 wt. % linolenic fatty acid moieties and from 0 to
2 wt. % trans fatty acid moieties, and a highly saturated fat including
from 0 to 2 wt. % of trans fatty acid moieties. The interesterified or
blended shortening composition has a trans-fatty acid moiety content of
from 0 to 2 wt. %. These interesterified or simple blends are low in
trans fatty acid, but are otherwise similar in composition and
performance to partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Products made from
the compositions include baked goods, such as short bread cookies,
biscuits, pie crusts, or puff pastry shells, or an icing such as cream
icing.