Baking Basics: Common Baking Substitutions

Baking Basics is back!

A few weeks ago we asked for feedback on what you would like to see featured in future Baking Basics installments, and the response was overwhelming – you wanted substitutions! While we are always a staunch advocate of cooking or baking a recipe exactly as written the first time through before attempting substitutions, we know that sometimes life can throw you a curveball. Maybe your grocery store is already closed and you need to make something for the next morning, or you’re stuck at home in a snowstorm and are just dying to bake something. Life happens!

Happy Baking! xo

Common Baking Substitutions

Baking Powder
1 teaspoon baking powder = ¼ teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon cream of tartar + ¼ teaspoon cornstarch

Baking Soda
½ teaspoon baking soda = 2 teaspoon baking powder

Butter
1 cup salted butter = 1 cup margarine
1 cup salted butter = 1 cup vegetable shortening + ½ teaspoon salt
1 cup salted butter = 7/8 cup lard + ½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter = 1 cup salted butter = 1 cup vegetable shortening = 1 cup lard *minus* ½ teaspoon salt from recipe

Buttermilk
1 cup buttermilk = 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes
1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt

Cake Flour
1 cup cake flour = ¾ cup sifted all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Chocolate
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate = 3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, vegetable oil or shortening

Cocoa Powder
3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder = 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate + reduce fat in recipe by 1 tablespoon
3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder = 3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder + ⅛ teaspoon baking soda

Eggs
1 egg = ¼ cup applesauce
1 egg = 1 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water
1 egg = ¼ cup silken tofu pureed
1 egg = 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 egg = ½ banana mashed with ½ teaspoon baking powder

Half-and-Half
1 cup half-and-half = ½ cup whole milk + ½ cup heavy cream

Lyle’s Golden Syrup
1 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup = 1 cup light molasses
1 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup = 1 cup light corn syrup

Milk
1 cup whole milk = ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
1 cup whole milk = 1 cup skim milk + 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice = ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ground ginger + 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice + 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Sour Cream
1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain yogurt

Vanilla Beans
1 vanilla bean = 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Vegetable Oil
1 cup vegetable oil = 1 cup applesauce = 1 cup fruit puree

Vegetable Shortening
1 cup vegetable shortening = 1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable shortening = 1 cup margarine

Yeast
1 envelope (¼-ounce) active dry yeast = 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 envelope (¼-ounce) active dry yeast = 2¼ teaspoons rapid-rise yeast
1 envelope (¼-ounce) active dry yeast = ⅓ of a 2-ounce cake yeast