Ingredient substitutes
Out of baking powder, buttermilk or eggs? 24 common ingredients and the swaps that work, with exact ratios from university extension services and test kitchens.
- Baking powder4 swaps
- Baking soda2 swaps
- Breadcrumbs5 swaps
- Brown sugar3 swaps
- Butter4 swaps
- Buttermilk5 swaps
- Cake flour2 swaps
- Cornstarch3 swaps
- Cream of tartar2 swaps
- Eggs (in baking)6 swaps
- Granulated sugar5 swaps
- Heavy cream3 swaps
- Honey2 swaps
- Lemon juice3 swaps
- Milk5 swaps
- Powdered sugar3 swaps
- Red wine2 swaps
- Self-rising flour2 swaps
- Sour cream5 swaps
- Tomato paste5 swaps
- Vanilla extract5 swaps
- Vinegar3 swaps
- White wine2 swaps
- Yeast (instant, active dry, fresh)3 swaps
The best swap for each, at a glance
| Ingredient | For | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Baking powder | 1 tsp baking powder | 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar (+ 1/4 tsp cornstarch if storing) |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp baking soda | 3 tsp (1 Tbsp) baking powder |
| Breadcrumbs | 1 cup dry breadcrumbs | 3/4 cup cracker crumbs |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup packed brown sugar | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1/4 cup molasses (unsulphured) |
| Butter | 1 cup butter | 1 cup regular (stick) margarine |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup buttermilk | 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + milk to make 1 cup; let stand 5-10 minutes |
| Cake flour | 1 cup cake flour | 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp (105 g) all-purpose flour + 2 Tbsp (14 g) cornstarch, whisked |
| Cornstarch | 1 Tbsp cornstarch (thickening) | 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour |
| Cream of tartar | 1/2 tsp cream of tartar | 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar |
| Eggs (in baking) | 1 large egg | 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup granulated sugar | 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup heavy cream | 3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup melted butter |
| Honey | 1 cup honey | 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup liquid |
| Lemon juice | 1 tsp lemon juice | 1/2 tsp vinegar |
| Milk | 1 cup whole milk | 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup powdered sugar | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 Tbsp cornstarch, blended in a food processor or blender until powdery |
| Red wine | Any amount red wine | Same amount grape juice |
| Self-rising flour | 1 cup self-rising flour | 1 cup minus 2 tsp all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt |
| Sour cream | 1 cup sour cream | 1 cup plain yogurt |
| Tomato paste | 1 Tbsp tomato paste | 3 Tbsp tomato sauce, simmered to thicken |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp vanilla extract | 1 tsp vanilla bean paste |
| Vinegar | 1 Tbsp vinegar (to sour milk) | 1 Tbsp lemon juice |
| White wine | Any amount white wine | Same amount white grape juice |
| Yeast (instant, active dry, fresh) | 1 packet (1/4 oz, about 2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast | Same amount instant yeast |