Learn About Baking Substitutes for Recipes

When you run out of something, what do you do? The solution is to substitute an ingredient called for in a recipe with another one. Here, you can find ingredient substitution charts and information for use in your recipes.

SUBSTITUTION QUICK-GUIDE

I've compiled a quick list of possible substitutions that are commonly asked about. For more extensive information, click on the categories in the substitution menu to the left.
INGREDIENT	SUBSTITUTION	SARAH SAYS
Allspice (1 tsp.)	Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp.) and ground cloves (1/2 tsp.)	Blend thoroughly
Baking Powder (1 tsp.)	There is no substitution for DOUBLE-ACTING BAKING POWDER SINGLE-ACTING baking powder: mix 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Single-acting means that it will create gas quickly when moistened, so the batter must be cooked quickly or it will go flat. For double-acting baking powder, the kind commonly used in recipes and sold in grocery stores, there isn't any easy home substitution. SINGLE-ACTING Corn-free: For 1-2/3s cup, blend: 1/3 cup baking soda + 2/3 cup cream of tartar + 2/3 cup arrowroot starch. Thoroughly blend all ingredients together, and store in airtight container. Use in recipes to replace standard baking powder, 1 for 1.	Substitutes are NOT reliable.
Baking Soda	There is no good substitute.
Buttermilk (1 cup)	Dairy: 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or distilled white wine vinegar (does not add flavor to baked good) in a glass measuring cup. Add in milk to equal 1 cup. Stir. Let stand for 15 minutes until it looks like it is beginning to curdle or slightly curdled. OR 2/3 cup plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt plus 1/3 cup milk OR Powdered buttermilk, follow directions on package Non-dairy: Place 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or distilled white wine vinegar (does not add flavor to baked good) in a glass measuring cup. Add in plain non-dairy milk (soy, nut, rice, oat, or mixed grain milk) to equal 1 cup. Stir. Let stand for 15 minutes until it looks like it is beginning to curdle or slightly curdled OR 1/4 cup silken tofu + 3/4 cup water + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + pinch of salt (blended together)	Real fresh buttermilk works the best
Cake flour, bleached (1 cup)	1 cup (preferably) bleached all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons, and then add in 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Combine.	Bleached cake flour works the best.