{"id":74298,"date":"2019-08-24T10:40:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-24T14:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/?p=74298"},"modified":"2021-08-02T09:08:16","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T13:08:16","slug":"cake-flour-substitute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/cake-flour-substitute\/","title":{"rendered":"Cake Flour Substitute"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You only need two common ingredients\u2014all-purpose flour and cornstarch\u2014to make a homemade cake flour substitute. Sifting them together is key. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ingredients<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As my baking experience grows, I use cake flour more and more in my baking. There’s no denying that cake flour produces the softest, most tender cakes and cupcakes. I try to keep my kitchen stocked with this crucial ingredient, but sometimes I quickly run out when I’m recipe testing. So in a pinch, I make this super easy cake flour substitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s back up for a minute though.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Cake Flour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cake flour is a low protein flour that’s milled into a fine consistency. It contains about 7-9% protein, while all-purpose flour, a harder flour, has anywhere between 10-12%. What does this mean for baking? You see, protein content is directly related to gluten formation. Cake flour’s lower protein means less gluten is formed as you mix the batter together. Less gluten formation equates to a softer, fluffier texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bread flour has a high protein content, which means more gluten forms during the mixing process. Super basic breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Cake flour<\/strong> = low protein = less gluten = softest texture = great for vanilla cake<\/a> and vanilla cupcakes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. All-purpose flour<\/strong> = medium protein = moderate gluten = suitable for anything, from chocolate chip cookies<\/a> to pizza dough<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Bread flour<\/strong> = high protein = more gluten formation = hardest texture = great for artisan bread<\/a> and bagels<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Vanilla<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    What Does That Mean for Baking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cake flour’s soft, tender texture directly translates into your baked good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, some recipes simply can’t withstand fine cake flour. Chocolate cake<\/a>, for example, already has cocoa powder\u2014which is a VERY fine dry ingredient. The combination of cake flour and cocoa powder usually results in a flimsy cake. Additionally, carrot cake<\/a> and banana cake<\/a> contain additional wet ingredients (the fruits or veggies), so cake flour isn’t really ideal. You need a stronger flour like all-purpose flour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I stick to cake flour when making vanilla cake<\/a>, white cake<\/a>, pineapple upside-down cake<\/a>, red velvet cake<\/a>, and other cakes where a fluffy texture is favorable. I’ve been successful substituting cake flour for all-purpose flour to create a softer 1-layer sprinkle cake<\/a>. Make a 1:1 substitution with no other changes to the recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"slice<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    How to Make a Homemade Cake Flour Substitute<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Step 1:<\/strong> Sift 14 Tablespoons (110g) all-purpose flour and 2 Tablespoons (16g) cornstarch together two times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2:<\/strong> Measure (spoon & level<\/a>) 1 cup from this mixture. You’ll have about 1 cup anyway, but sometimes sifting can produce more volume since it’s adding air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 3: <\/strong>Now you have 1 cup of cake flour that you can use in most recipes requiring cake flour<\/a>. If the recipe requires more than 1 cup cake flour, you can do this process in bulk, but I find it’s better to make each cup of cake flour separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note that delicate baked goods meant to have an extraordinary light texture like angel food cake<\/a> and white cake<\/a> should ideally use real cake flour. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have cake flour for other recipes, use this substitute!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"homemade<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"homemade<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"homemade<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Items You Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n