Depending on your age, you may or may not be familiar with lard. The cooking fat was once a staple ingredient in home kitchens, though over the years, it has become something of a mysterious one. One particular variety known as leaf lard has become trendy once more, particularly favored among so-called modern homesteaders, pastry chefs, cookbook authors, and avid home bakers. It's prized not only for the qualities that it brings to baked goods, but also for the things that it doesn't. Because it's dairy-free, lard is a favorite among those who follow a Paleo or Keto diet as well as with those with lactose sensitivities. It's also free of trans fats, and ounce for ounce, contains less saturated fat than butter.