Free Common Baking Ingredient Substitutions

Out of an ingredient? Find quick and reliable baking substitutions for free. Learn how to make a buttermilk substitute, replace baking powder, and more.

Leavening Agents

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Baking Soda + 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 tsp Active Dry Yeast

3/4 tsp Instant Yeast OR 2.5 tsp Fresh Yeast

1 tsp Baking Soda

3 tsp Baking Powder (omit salt, reduce acid)

1 tsp Cream of Tartar

2 tsp Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Dairy & Fats

1 cup Buttermilk

1 cup Milk + 1 tbsp Lemon Juice or White Vinegar (let stand 5 mins)

1 cup Sour Cream

1 cup Plain Yogurt (Greek is best)

1 cup Butter (Salted)

1 cup Margarine OR 1 cup Shortening + 1/2 tsp Salt

1 cup Butter (Unsalted)

1 cup Shortening OR 7/8 cup Vegetable Oil (for cakes)

1 cup Heavy Cream

3/4 cup Milk + 1/3 cup Butter (for cooking/baking, not whipping)

1 cup Whole Milk

1/2 cup Evaporated Milk + 1/2 cup Water

1 cup Mascarpone

1 cup Cream Cheese + 1/4 cup Heavy Cream + 2 tbsp Butter

Eggs

1 Large Egg

1/4 cup Applesauce (for moisture)

1 Large Egg

1/2 Mashed Banana (adds flavor)

1 Large Egg

1 tbsp Ground Flaxseed + 3 tbsp Water (let sit 5 mins)

1 Large Egg

1/4 cup Silken Tofu (blended)

1 Large Egg

1/4 cup Yogurt or Buttermilk

Sweeteners

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1 cup packed Brown Sugar OR 1 3/4 cups Confectioners' Sugar

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Granulated Sugar + 1 tbsp Molasses

1 cup Honey

1 1/4 cups Sugar + 1/4 cup Liquid

1 cup Molasses

1 cup Honey OR 3/4 cup Brown Sugar + 1/4 cup Water

1 cup Corn Syrup

1 cup Sugar + 1/4 cup Water

Flour & Thickeners

1 cup Cake Flour

1 cup All-Purpose Flour minus 2 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp Cornstarch

1 cup Bread Flour

1 cup All-Purpose Flour + 1 tsp Vital Wheat Gluten

1 cup Self-Rising Flour

1 cup All-Purpose Flour + 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder + 1/4 tsp Salt

1 tbsp Cornstarch

2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour OR 1 tbsp Potato Starch

1 tbsp Arrowroot

1 tbsp Cornstarch OR 1 tbsp Tapioca Starch

Spices & Flavorings

1 tsp Allspice

1/2 tsp Cinnamon + 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves

1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 tsp Cinnamon + 1/4 tsp Ginger + 1/8 tsp Allspice + 1/8 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Apple Pie Spice

1/2 tsp Cinnamon + 1/4 tsp Nutmeg + 1/8 tsp Cardamom

1 tsp Lemon Juice

1/2 tsp Vinegar OR 1 tsp White Wine

1 oz Unsweetened Chocolate

3 tbsp Cocoa Powder + 1 tbsp Butter/Oil

1 oz Semisweet Chocolate

1 oz Unsweetened Chocolate + 1 tbsp Sugar

A Note on Ingredient Replacements

While these baking substitutions are great in a pinch, remember that baking is chemistry! Changing an ingredient, especially a major one like flour or fat, will likely alter the final taste and texture of your baked good. For important projects, it's always best to test an ingredient replacement in a small batch first before committing to the full recipe.