Other Baking Ingredients

For best results, use the ingredient called for in the recipe. In a pinch, these substitutes will produce acceptable results.

Baking powder: for 1 teaspoon, substitute 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Bread crumbs, fine, dry: for 1/4 cup, substitute 3/4 cup soft bread crumbs, or 1/4 cup cracker crumbs, or 1/4 cup cornflake crumbs, or 2/3 cup rolled oats

Buttermilk: for 1 cup, substitute sour milk: 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using); or 1 cup plain yogurt

Chocolate, semisweet: for 1 ounce, substitute 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate pieces; or 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar

Chocolate, sweet baking (such as German's Sweet chocolate): for 4 ounces, substitute 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons shortening

Chocolate, unsweetened: for 1 ounce, substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon cooking oil or shortening, melted

Cornstarch (for thickening): for 1 tablespoon, substitute 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Corn syrup: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup water.

Egg: for 1 whole egg, substitute 2 egg whites, or 2 egg yolks, or 1/4 cup frozen egg product, thawed

Flour, cake: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Flour, self-rising: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Fruit liqueur: for 1 tablespoon, substitute 1 tablespoon fruit juice

Gingerroot, grated: for 1 teaspoon, substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Half-and-half or light cream: for 1 cup, substitute 1 tablespoon melted butter plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup

Heavy cream, whipped: for 1 cup, substitute 2 cups whipped dessert topping 

Honey: for 1 cup, substitute 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup water.

Margarine: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup butter or 1 cup shortening plus 1/4 teaspoon salt

Mascarpone cheese: for 8 ounces, substitute 8 ounces regular cream cheese

Milk: for 1 cup, substitute 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water, or 1 cup water plus 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

Molasses: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup honey

Sour cream, dairy: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup plain yogurt

Sugar, granulated: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup packed brown sugar or 2 cups stirred powdered sugar

Whipping cream See Heavy cream, above

Yeast: for 1.06-ounce compressed cake, substitute 1/4-ounce envelope active dry yeast