Top 10 Baking Substitutions

It never fails that the urge to bake an amazing dessert or afternoon snack always comes when I don't have all the ingredients on hand. So what do I do? Well, like any good baker, I cry. No. Really, I start googling my options. Then i pick the most credible source and hope for the best. Many times the substitutions are spot on, but because baking is a science, sometimes they end up in the "fail boat" as my husband calls it. It only recently occurred to me that I am always googling the same substitutions.

Creative commons @ Andrea Goth

So, I'm posting the Top 10 Baking Substitutions that I find myself needing at the most desperate of times. This might be more for me than for you, but it will mean less and less items end up on the Fail Boat.

Requested Ingredient		Suggest Substitution
Baker’s Sugar (Superfine Sugar, Castor Sugar)	-	Use granulated sugar – place sugar in a food processor and process 10-20 seconds until super fine, but not powdered sugar. Tip: Use a glass food processor or herb grinder to avoid leaving sugar scratches on your plastic food processor bowl.
Baking Powder	-	Use cream of tartar, baking soda & corn starch – For every teaspoon of baking powder; combine ½tsp of cream of tartar, ¼tsp of baking soda & ¼tsp of corn starch.
Brown Sugar	-	Use granulated sugar & molasses – For every cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup minus 1Tbs of granulated sugar and 1Tbs of molasses. For darker brown sugar increase the substitution from 1tsp of granulated and molasses to 2tsp of granulated sugar and molasses.
Butter	-	Use Apple sauce or Greek Yogurt – Again use as an even substitution, 1 Cup for 1 Cup.
Buttermilk (Sour Milk)	-	Use Whole Milk (or 2%) & lemon juice (or vinegar) – For every cup of buttermilk required, combine 1 Cup minus 1Tbs of whole or 2% milk and 1Tbs of lemon juice or vinegar. It is called Sour for a reason and might curdle. Do not be alarmed.
Cake Flour	-	Use All-purpose flour & Corn Starch – For every cup of Cake flour required, Use 1 Cup minus 2Tbs of AP Flour combined with 2Tbs of Cornstarch
Cream of Tartar	-	There really isn't a good substitute in baking for cream of tartar. If the recipe calls for baking soda and cream of tartar, leave out both and use baking powder. Side note: My granny’s cook book bible says to use 3 times as much lemon juice or vinegar. But you may have to compensate with a little more flour if the consistency isn't right.
Oil	-	Use Apple sauce or Shortening – Even substitution with Apple Sauce. But with Shortening, remember to increase the amount by ¼.
Powder Sugar	-	Use granulated sugar & corn starch – Add 1 Cup of granulated sugar and 1tsp of corn starch to a blender and blend until powder.
Self-Rising Flour	-	Use All-purpose flour, baking powder & salt – Combine 1 Cup of AP Flour, 1 ½tsp of baking powder and ¼tsp of salt. Once combined, use as much of the mixture as the recipe requires.

Creative Commons @ Paul Jacobson

And because every good post needs a bonus: Here's an extra thrown in for good measure!

Requested Ingredient		Suggest Substitution
Vanilla Extract	-	Use Vanilla Paste or Powder – Even substitution here, 1 for 1 on the Vanilla extra with Vanilla Powder or Vanilla Paste.

Or learn to make your own Vanilla Extract and never reach that point where you find yourself without quality extra just like

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