Baking Substitutions for Everyday Baking

Baking substitutions will help you in a pinch if you find yourself short of an ingredient and need a quick solution.

They are not recommended for specialty recipes as they may change the texture and flavor. But for everyday baking, these can be a recipe saver.

Baking Substitutes:

Baking Powder - Substitute 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and 1/4 teaspoon corn starch for 1 teaspoon baking powder.

Baking Substitutions for Chocolate:

1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate can be substituted with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon of melted butter, margarine, vegetable oil or shortening.

1 ounce of semi-sweet chocolate can be substituted with 1/2 ounce of unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.

6 ounces of chocolate semi-sweet chips can be substituted with 9 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder mixed with 7 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons of melted butter.

Corn Syrup - 1 cup of corn syrup can be substituted with 1 cup of granulated sugar or 1 cup of packed brown sugar mixed with 1/4 cup of water.

Baking Substitutions for Dairy:

Butter – 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter can be substituted with 1/2 cup of salted butter, just decrease the salt in the recipe by 1/4 teaspoon.

Buttermilk - Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before using as a substitute for 1 cup of buttermilk or sour milk. Also 1 cup of plain yogurt can be substituted for 1 cup of buttermilk in most recipes.

Half-and-Half – 1 cup of half-and-half can be substituted with 1/2 cup of light cream mixed with 1/2 cup of whole milk. Also you can substitute 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter and enough whole milk to equal 1 cup for 1 cup half-and-half.

Light Cream - Need light cream at the last minute? 1/4 cup of melted butter added to 3/4 cup of milk equals 1 cup of light cream or 1 cup of evaporated milk equals 1 cup of light cream.

Milk - If a recipe calls for milk and you have none, substitute 1/2 cup of evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup of water to equal 1 cup whole milk.

Sour Cream - 1 (8 ounces) carton commercial sour cream can be substituted with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice plus evaporated milk to equal 1 cup. Also 1 cup of plain yogurt can be used to replace 1 cup of sour cream.

Egg – 1 large egg can be substituted with 1/4 cup of egg substitute. For cake and cupcake batters, 1 large egg can be substituted with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise.

Espresso Instant Coffee Powder - Substitute 2 to 3 teaspoons instant coffee granules for 1 tablespoon espresso coffee powder.

Baking Substitutions for Flour:

All Purpose Flour - 1 cup of self-rising flour equals 1 cup of all purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. When using self-rising flour, substitute measure for measure for all purpose flour, then omit baking powder and salt in the recipe.

Cake Flour – 1 cup of cake flour equals 1 cup sifted all purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons.

Self-Rising Flour – 1 cup of self-rising flour can be substituted with 1 cup minus 2 teaspoons of all purpose flour plus 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Honey - 1 cup of honey can be substituted with 1-1/4 cups of granulated sugar (or brown sugar) mixed with 1/4 cup of water. You can also substitute 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 3/4 cup maple syrup, light or dark corn syrup or light molasses for 1 cup honey.

Lemon Zest – 1 teaspoon of lemon zest can be replaced with 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract.

Molasses - Substitute 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water (or liquid in recipe) for 1 cup molasses.

Oats - Old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking oats can be used interchangeably in baking recipes.

Raisins - Substitute equal amount of other chopped dried fruit for raisins. Golden raisins, dark raisins, dried cranberries and currants can be used interchangeably in baking recipes.

Shortening - Substitute 1 cup butter or margarine for 1 cup regular or butter-flavored shortening.

Baking Substitutions for Spices:

Allspice - Substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for 1 teaspoon ground allspice.

Apple Pie Spice - Substitute 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch ground allspice for 1 tablespoon apple pie spice.

Cinnamon, Ground - Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom for 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Nutmeg, Ground - Substitute 1 teaspoon ground allspice or 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon or 1 teaspoon ground mace for 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Pumpkin Pie Spice - Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves for 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Vanilla Bean - Substitute 2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla extract for one 8-inch vanilla bean.

Baking Substitutions for Sugar:

Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar) – Substitute 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/8 teaspoon cornstarch processed in a food processor fitted with a metal blade for 1 cup confectioners’ sugar.

Dark Brown Sugar - Substitute 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 to 3 tablespoons molasses for 1 cup dark brown sugar. Also you can substitute 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar plus 1 tablespoon molasses for 1 cup of dark brown sugar.

Fine Sugar – Make fine sugar with granulated sugar in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and processed until sugar is fine and powdery.

Granulated Sugar – 1 cup of granulated sugar can be substituted with 1 cup of packed brown sugar. Also 1-3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar can be substituted for 1 cup of granulated sugar.

Light Brown Sugar – 1 cup of light brown sugar can be substituted with 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar mixed with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. You can also substitute 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons molasses for 1 cup light brown sugar.

Sweetened Condensed Milk - Substitute 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk plus 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup boiling water and 3 tablespoons melted butter for 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.

Baking Substitutions for Vegetable Oil - Substitute equal amounts of melted butter or margarine for vegetable oil. In many recipes, you can substitute applesauce for the shortening.

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