Who hasn’t been in the middle of baking, just to realise you are missing a vital ingredient? These 12 baking substitutions are great to use when you don’t feel like rushing off to the supermarket for that one missing ingredient.
Baking powder = baking soda + cream of tartar
Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts cream of tartar. If you plan on storing the mixture, add 1 part cornflour (cornstarch).
Brown sugar = white sugar + molasses
Mix together 1 tablespoon of molasses per 1 cup of white sugar. Keep mixing until the molasses are completely incorporated.
Buttermilk = milk + vinegar or lemon juice
Combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice per 1 cup of milk. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, after which time the milk will of thickened and curdled slightly.
Icing sugar = white sugar + cornflour
Use 2 teaspoons of cornflour per 1 cup of white sugar (the cornflour stops the sugar from clumping). Add to the bowl of a food processor and mix for 5 minutes or until the mixture resembles icing sugar.
Cooking chocolate = cocoa powder + butter
Combine 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of butter or vegetable oil (makes 28g).
Almond meal = slivered almonds
Pulse almonds in a blender or food processor until they turn into a fine flour. Be careful not to over mix your almonds or they will turn into a paste.
Self-raising flour = plain flour + baking powder
Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder per 1 cup of plain flour. Combine well before using.
Sanding sugar = white sugar + food colouring
Add the white sugar and a few drops of food colouring to a zip lock bag. Use your fingers to gently knead the sugar in the bag until the sugar crystal are evenly coated, adding a little extra food colouring if needed. Add a little cornflour to your coloured sugar if it is a little sticky, which can happen when using gel colours.
Cream of tartar = vinegar or lemon juice
Use 2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice in place of every 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Butter = shortening or vegetable oil
To replace 1 cup of butter, use 1 cup of shortening or 7/8 cup of vegetable oil.
Cream = milk + melted butter
To replace 1 cup of cream, combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of melted butter
Breadcrumbs = rolled oats
Replace the amount of breadcrumbs called for in a recipe with the equivalent in rolled oats.
