Don't let a missing ingredient stop your baking project. Learn how to make smart substitutions that maintain the flavor, texture, and chemistry of your recipes.
| Missing Ingredient | Substitute With | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttermilk | Milk + lemon juice or vinegar | 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp acid | Let stand 5-10 minutes until curdled |
| All-Purpose Flour | Cake flour | 1 cup + 2 tbsp cake flour | For each cup of all-purpose flour |
| Baking Powder | Baking soda + cream of tartar | ¼ tsp soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar | Equals 1 tsp baking powder |
| Brown Sugar | White sugar + molasses | 1 cup white + 1-2 tbsp molasses | Light brown (1 tbsp) or dark brown (2 tbsp) |
| Sour Cream | Plain yogurt | 1:1 ratio | Greek yogurt works best |
| Vanilla Extract | Maple syrup | 1:1 ratio | Adds different but complementary flavor |
No measuring cups?Learn estimation hacks.
| Animal Product | Vegan Alternative | Ratio | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (binding) | Ground flaxseed + water | 1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg | Cookies, muffins, pancakes |
| Eggs (leavening) | Apple cider vinegar + baking soda | 1 tsp vinegar + ¼ tsp soda = 1 egg | Cakes, quick breads |
| Butter | Coconut oil | 1:1 ratio | Cookies, pie crusts |
| Butter (soft) | Vegan butter (Earth Balance) | 1:1 ratio | Cakes, frostings |
| Milk | Almond, soy, or oat milk | 1:1 ratio | Most recipes |
| Honey | Maple syrup or agave nectar | ¾ cup syrup = 1 cup honey | Sweetener in any recipe |
When substituting ingredients, you often need to adjust measurements to maintain the right consistency and chemistry in your recipe. Here's how to adapt:
| Original | Substitute | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup granulated sugar | ¾ cup honey | Reduce other liquids by ¼ cup |
| 1 cup granulated sugar | ⅔ cup maple syrup | Reduce other liquids by ¼ cup |
| 1 cup brown sugar | ¾ cup agave nectar | Reduce other liquids by ¼ cup |
Also reduce oven temperature by 25°F when using liquid sweeteners to prevent over-browning.
| Original | Substitute | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup butter | ½ cup applesauce | Use only in quick breads or muffins |
| 1 cup oil | ¾ cup Greek yogurt | Best in cakes and quick breads |
| 1 cup shortening | 1 cup coconut oil | Chill dough longer before baking |
Baking Soda
Cannot be omitted. It's crucial for pH balance and leavening. Double-check expiration dates as effectiveness decreases over time.
Salt
Never skip salt completely. It enhances flavors and controls yeast in bread recipes. Can reduce by half but not eliminate.
Yeast in Bread
No viable substitute exists. Different types (active dry, instant) can be swapped with measurement adjustments.
Some recipes are too chemically balanced to handle substitutions. Proceed with caution when making: