Questions and Answers – Copha Substitutions
Question:
I have moved to America from Australia. I have a recipe that asks for 250 grams of copha. What can I get to substitute for this in America? What are the measurements to equal this quantity? I know it is a coconut based shortening. – Nlsmitty (2 (2/12/00)
Answers:
Vegetable Shortening – A solid fat made from vegetable oils, such as soybean and cottonseed oil. Although made from oil, shortening has been chemically transformed into a sold state through hydrogenation. Vegetable shortening is virtually flavorless (has a bland, neutral flavor) and may be substituted for other fats (such as butter, margarine, or lard) in baking of pie pastry, cookies, and cakes. Shortening is ideal for pastry, since it blends well with the flour. It can be stored at room temperature for up to a year. Vegetable shortening can be found in all grocery stores. One brand name is Crisco.
Follow Up Comments From Readers:
(1) Just thought I’d let you know…… I tried using Vegetable shortening instead of copha…….. Dont do it! It was very bad! My fiance is from Australia, and wanted chocolate crackles for Christmas. – Deb (12/25/00)
(2) I noticed you had a question about Copha on your Q&A page, and that someone suggested substituting vegetable shortening (bad idea … it’s definitely not the same thing) … but there are a couple of sources for Copha in the United States for us expatriate Aussies who can’t go another day without a Chocolate Crackle. Cheers – Caroline Carpenter (9/9/01)
14 Responses to “Copha Substitutions”
Mimi
Nooooo!! Do not use Crisco as a substitute for Copha! Horrible answer! Many Australian recipes use Copha for candy or no-bake cookies such as the favorite White Christmas and if you use Crisco it will be utterly inedible! You MUST have Copha for these recipes. As a previous poster mentioned, you can also use Palmin which is another solid vegetable shortening made with coconut. In the US, Palmin can be easily purchased online at Amazon.com. In past years I’ve seen Copha at Safeway grocery stores as well.
Jade
What about in Canada? Does anyone know? I can’t find palmin here and I really want to make crackles for an event tomorrow
Sheralee
Solidified Coconut Oil – at any grocery store. Look in the cooking aisle section or natural foods. It’s the same thing as Copha. Hard/Firm white coconut oil in the tubs.
Sheralee
NEVER EVER use Crisco or similar. Anyone who uses that for Crackles should be shot !!!
Solidified Coconut Oil in the tub, which you can buy at most grocery (in cooking oils aisle) or Costco etc It is hard white coconut oil…..
Margaret Denvil
In desperation, as I did when first here, melted choc bits make a very thick but tough crackle..
Schar
Hahahaaha loving these posts, and thank you cause i want to make some for work for xmas. Already done lamingtons, scones+jam and cream ☺
Karen
Solid coconut oil is the best, and same as Copha, for chocolate crackles. I have used both and they are both the same, giving the same result. I am Aussie and when I was in Netherlands for my granddaughter‘s birthday, I substituted coconut oil for copha. It worked a treat….no problems. Now all the mums in the Netherlands want my chocolate crackle recipe.
Toni O'Neill
Thanks for your help. I made the mistake of trying Crisco & it was a disaster. But, aside from the lack of hardening, I wasn’t happy with the taste either. I used an Aussie recipe & bought Cadbury’s Cocoa. Good or bad decision for the best chocolate flavor? I’ve promise 100 of them for a Holiday Party & am freeking out.
Patty
Does Copha taste like coconut in recipes?
Gypsy
G’day Patty
There is NO taste to Copha at all. Although it’s a white block when purchased, when you melt it (I don’t know of a recipe where you don’t melt it other than rough puff pastry), it melts to completely colourless. HTH 🙂
Natasha Estrada
I wonder if you could use palm shortening?
James
All say do not substitute Crisco for copha. If you do, what changes in the finished recipe? Texture? Taste?
Janet
If you use Crisco you will end up with a mushy, oily mess.
Bruce Aitchison
I believe in New Zealand they use Kremalta for this. 😊😊