Baking Ingredient Substitutions

One example would be; the need to adjust the amount of liquid called for in the recipe if using a substitute that requires liquid.  I wanted to compile a reference list to help you in those “Oh no” moments and give you options.  This a list of the most commonly used baking substitutions.  I hope that it will be a helpful tool for you to reference in your kitchen.

1 whole egg:
a) 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
b) 2 1/2 Tbsp powdered egg substitute plus 2 1/2 Tbsp water
c) 1/4 cup pureed silken tofu
d) 1/2 mashed banana plus 1/2 tsp baking powder
e) 3 Tbsp mayonnaise

Shortening: same amount butter

Sour Cream: same amount plain yogurt

Lemon Juice: same amount vinegar, lime juice or white wine

Vinegar: same amount lemon juice

Buttermilk: Per 1 cup use:
a) 1 cup whole milk plus 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar. Sit for 5 minutes.
b) 1 cup plain yogurt

Evaporated Milk: Per 1 cup use: 1 cup light cream

Heavy Cream: Per 1 cup use: 1 cup evaporated milk [for baking only; evaporated milk will not whip like whipping cream]

Half & Half: Per 1 cup use : 1/2 cup whole milk plus 1/2 cup heavy cream

Corn Syrup: Per 1 cup use:
a) 1 cup honey
b) 1 1/4 cup white sugar plus 1/3 cup water [mix until dissolved]

Sweetened Condensed Milk: recipe here

Cake Flour: Per 1 cup use: 1 cup AP [all purpose] flour less 2 Tbsp; replace with 2 Tbsp cornstarch.

Self-Rising Flour: Per 1 cup use: 1 cup AP [all purpose] flour plus 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt

Baking Powder: Per 1 tsp use: 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Cream of Tarter: Per 1 tsp use: 2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar

Brown Sugar: Per 1 cup use:
a) 1 cup white sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses and decrease liquid in recipe by 1/4 cup
b) 1 cup white sugar
c) 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Salted Butter:  Per 1 cup use:  [Unsalted butter – omit salt]
a) 1 cup shortening plus 1/2 tsp salt
b) 1 cup margarine plus 1/2 tsp salt
c) 7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 tsp salt

Fats for Baking: Per 1 cup use:
a) 1 cup applesauce
b) 1 cup fruit puree

Cream Cheese:  Per 1 cup use:
a) 1 cup pureed cottage cheese
b) 1 cup plain yogurt
c) 1 cup mascarpone cheese

Cocoa: Per 1 ounce use: 1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

Unsweetened Chocolate: Per 1 ounce use:  3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 Tbsp shortening or vegetable oil

Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Per 1 ounce use:
a) 1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate plus 4 tsp sugar
b) 1 ounce semisweet chocolate chips plus 1 tsp shortening

Allspice: Per 1 tsp use: 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp ground clove

DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice: Makes approximately 1/4 cup
2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground clove
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cardamom