Tips For Baking Ingredient Substitutions

I love to bake, especially desserts. I usually have basic ingredients on hand in my kitchen.

How many of you could be in the middle of something and all of a sudden you get a desire for sweets?

This does not happen to me every day. However with all the yummy desserts being posted to social media sites it is hard to escape the urge. Often times a recipe may catch my eye and make me feel as though I need to make that right now. 

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So what happens if I head to the kitchen with the intention to make this delicious dessert I just spotted online and I discover that I am missing some ingredients. I am unable to just run to the shop and purchase what I need. So what are my options? I have substituted many ingredients over time and thought it would be nice to share them with others. Maybe you have already heard about these. However for someone who has not these substitutions can be a life saver.

1. Icing sugar (1 cup) 

Combine one cup of sugar and one tablespoon of cornstarch in blender and mix until powder forms.

2. Castor sugar or super fine sugar (1 cup) 

Place regular (granulated) sugar in a blender or food processor and use the pulse button or lowest setting until sugar is a super fine consistency but not powdered. 

3. Brown sugar (1 cup) 

Measure one cup of regular (granulated) sugar and add in one tablespoon of molasses in a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork until completely mixed. If there is desire for a darker brown sugar add another tablespoon or two of molasses. 

4. Light corn syrup 

Mix one cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of water and heat in saucepan until sugar is fully dissolved. 

5. Honey (1 cup) 

Mix 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water.

6. Self rising flour (1 cup)  

Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to one cup of all purpose flour. 

7. Eggs

Use two tablespoons of applesauce per egg.

Related Post: Egg Substitutes For Baking

8. Cake flour 

Remove 2 tablespoons of flour per one cup of all purpose flour. 

9. Baking powder 

Mix together 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter.

10. Vanilla Extract 

Use maple syrup.

11. Heavy cream (1 cup) 

Mix 2/3 cup of milk and 1/3 cup of butter.

12. Sour cream (1 cup) 

Use 1 cup of plain yogurt. 

13. Graham crackers 

Use other biscuits including vanilla Oreo's, shortbread cookies, or tea biscuits. My favorite are Marie's biscuits. 

14. Raisins 

Use chopped dates

15. Baking chocolate unsweetened (one ounce) 

Combine 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa with 1 tablespoon of butter. To make semi-sweet add in 1 tablespoon of sugar.

What tips do you have for baking ingredient substitutions?