Refined coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil will lend a coconut flavor to pastries, so I prefer refined. It has a neutral, even buttery, flavor and bakes up beautifully. Do be aware of the temperature requirements for each recipe—sometimes it’s melted, sometimes it’s at room temp, sometimes it doesn’t matter. But follow the recipes for best results. To melt coconut oil, place the jar in hot water, or scoop some into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds, then let it melt the rest of the way.