Top 10 Common Baking Substitutions

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Top 10 Common Baking Substitutions – Learn how to make quick substitutions for the most commonly used ingredients in baking! If you have ever run out of an ingredient then this is a must read!

Have you find yourself in the middle of a recipe and you’ve run out of a key ingredient? Smack dab in the middle of a cake for that family birthday party and found you were out of baking powder, or maybe eggs? 

Yup been there a few times.

I’m going to show you how you can substitute or make your own for these 10 common baking ingredients:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Brown Sugar
• Granulated Sugar
• Butter
• Semi-sweet Chocolate 
• Confectioner’s Sugar
• Corn Syrup
• Buttermilk
• Baking Powder

So let’s get to it:

Eggs

If you find yourself out of eggs then try these 3 quick substitutions:

• ¼ cup of either mashed pumpkin, banana, pureed prunes, applesauce, vegetable oil

• 1 tablespoon of flax seeds (or chia seeds) with 3 tablespoons water and let them sit for 10 minutes to absorb.

• 2 tbs water, 1 teaspoon oil, + 2 tsp. Baking powder

Milk

I love keeping a can of evaporated milk and a box of nonfat dry milk on hand for when I have run out of this key ingredient! Here is how to substitute:

• ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water for 1 cup milk

•  1 cup water + ½ cup nonfat dry milk

Granulated White Sugar

Now I rarely run out of this ingredient, but I have to admit there have been a few times when I find myself out of it! And I hate making special trips to the grocery store. So here is what I do…

• Equal parts brown sugar or applesauce

• OR use 2 cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup sugar

Keep in mind, making sugar substitutions can sometimes change the final results! 

Butter

If I run out of butter, it might seem all is over. But, there is a few things you can try! Basically, what you are replacing the butter is with is another fat. So here a few things you can do:

• For every 1 cup of butter you can substitute 1 cup pureed avocado (works well in brownies, OR 1 cup mashed banana (works well in brownies and cookies)

• OR  ½ cup applesauce + ½ cup vegetable oil

Baking Powder

If you ever find yourself without baking powder or that your’s isn’t fresh anymore, then you can easily whip up some yourself.

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar  for every 1 tsp. baking powder

Confectioner’s Sugar

I love making my favorite American buttercream frosting for cupcakes, but sometimes I find I’ve run out! Here is an easy way to make your own:

• 1 cup of granulated white sugar + 1 Tbs. cornstarch

Simply combine them in your food processor and voila! Instant confectioner sugar!

Buttermilk

I know we just talked about how to make your own buttermilk, but if you missed it then here it is again:

• 1 cup of milk + 1 Tbs. vinegar (or lemon juice)

If you find yourself out of milk, then you can also use:

• Equal parts yogurt

Semi-sweet Chocolate

Now if a recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate, let’s say in a ganache for some Boston Creme Pie Cupcakes, but you don’t have any you can also use for every ounce the recipe calls for:

• 3 ounce unsweetened chocolate + 3 Tbs. sugar + 1 Tbs. Butter
• 1 Tbs. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Light Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is a typical ingredient in making candy, such as marshmallows. If you are out of it, you can try substituting:

• 1 cup of sugar + 1/4 cup water

Brown Sugar

This is probably one of the most commonly used substitution I use in my kitchen, besides the buttermilk. Making your own brown sugar is so easy! Here is what you need:

• 1 cup of sugar + 1 Tbs. Molasses

You can simply combine that in your food processor until it all comes together! If you need dark brown sugar, add an extra tablespoon of molasses!

So there you go! Ten common baking substitutions when you find yourself in a pinch! 

 Until next time…happy baking everyone!