Complete Baking Substitution Guide

Master baking substitutions with our comprehensive guide. Find perfect alternatives for every essential baking ingredient.

Quick Baking Reference

Agave6 options
All Purpose Flour7 options
Almond Butter3 options
Almond Flour7 options
Applesauce7 options
Arborio Rice4 options
Arborio3 options
Arrowroot Powder6 options
Arrowroot7 options
Baking Powder6 options
Baking Soda6 options
Barley6 options

Leavening Agents

Ingredients that help baked goods rise

Baking Powder

Leavening agent that helps baked goods rise and become light and fluffy

Baking Soda + Cream of Tartar(1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar)
Baking Soda + Vinegar(1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp white vinegar)
+4 more options

Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate, a powerful leavening agent that creates carbon dioxide when combined with acid, essential for light and fluffy baked goods

Baking Powder(3:1 (3 parts baking powder to 1 part baking soda))
Potassium Bicarbonate(1:1)
+4 more options

Bread Yeast

Active dry yeast used for leavening bread and baked goods, providing rise and texture

Instant Yeast(1:1)
Sourdough Starter(1:1)
+4 more options

Cream of Tartar

Potassium bitartrate, an acidic powder that stabilizes egg whites, prevents sugar crystallization, and acts as a leavening agent in baking

Lemon Juice(1/2 tsp lemon juice per 1/8 tsp cream of tartar)
White Vinegar(1/2 tsp white vinegar per 1/8 tsp cream of tartar)
+4 more options

Yeast

Microscopic fungi that ferment sugars to produce carbon dioxide, essential for leavening bread, rolls, and other baked goods

Baking Powder + Baking Soda(1 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp baking soda per 1 tsp yeast)
Sourdough Starter(1/2 cup starter per 1 tsp yeast)
+5 more options

Fats & Oils

Ingredients that add moisture and richness

Almond Butter

Spread made from ground almonds, used as a nut butter alternative and in baking

Peanut Butter(1:1)
Cashew Butter(1:1)
+1 more options

Butter Beans

Large, creamy white beans with mild, buttery flavor, used in cooking and salads

Lima Beans(1:1)
Cannellini Beans(1:1)
+4 more options

Butter Flavoring

Artificial flavoring that mimics butter taste, used in baking and cooking

Real Butter(1:1)
Ghee(1:1)
+1 more options

Butter Lettuce

Tender, sweet lettuce with soft, buttery leaves commonly used in salads and wraps

Bibb Lettuce(1:1)
Boston Lettuce(1:1)
+4 more options

Butter for Oil

Learn how to substitute butter for oil in your recipes

Ghee(1:1)
Clarified Butter(1:1)
+3 more options

Butter

Rich, creamy dairy product made from churned cream, used for cooking, baking, and spreading

Vegetable Oil(1 cup butter = 3/4 cup oil)
Margarine(1:1)
+4 more options

Butterhead Lettuce

Tender, sweet lettuce with soft, buttery leaves that form loose heads, commonly used in salads and wraps

Butter Lettuce(1:1)
Bibb Lettuce(1:1)
+4 more options

Butterkase Cheese

German semi-soft cheese with buttery, mild flavor, used in cooking and snacking

Havarti(1:1)
Gouda(1:1)
+4 more options

Buttermilk

Tangy, slightly sour milk with thick consistency, used in baking and cooking

Milk + Lemon Juice(1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
Milk + White Vinegar(1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar)
+4 more options

Cacao Butter

Pure fat extracted from cacao beans, used in chocolate making and skincare

Coconut Oil(1:1)
Cocoa Butter(1:1)
+1 more options

Coconut Oil

Oil made from coconut with tropical flavor, used in cooking and baking

Butter(1:1)
Vegetable Oil(1:1)
+5 more options

Shortening

Solid fat made from vegetable oils with neutral flavor and high melting point, used in baking and cooking

Butter(1:1)
Lard(1:1)
+5 more options

Vegan Butter

Plant-based butter alternative with similar flavor and texture, used in cooking and baking

Regular Butter(1:1)
Coconut Oil(1:1)
+4 more options

Vegetable Shortening

Find the best alternatives to vegetable shortening for baking and cooking

Butter(1:1)
Lard(1:1)
+3 more options

Sweeteners

Ingredients that add sweetness and moisture

Blackstrap Molasses

Dark, thick syrup with bitter, robust flavor, used in baking and cooking

Regular Molasses(1:1)
Dark Brown Sugar(1:1)
+1 more options

Brown Sugar

Sugar with molasses added for moisture and caramel flavor

White Sugar + Molasses(1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses)
White Sugar + Maple Syrup(1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp maple syrup)
+4 more options

Cane Sugar

Natural sugar made from sugar cane with slightly different flavor than refined sugar, used in cooking and baking

Granulated Sugar(1:1)
Brown Sugar(1:1)
+4 more options

Caster Sugar

Find the best alternatives to caster sugar for baking and desserts

Granulated Sugar (Ground)(1:1)
Powdered Sugar(1:1)
+3 more options

Cinnamon Sugar

Sweet spice blend of cinnamon and sugar, used in baking and desserts

Cinnamon + Sugar(1:1 + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp)
Pumpkin Pie Spice(1:1)
+4 more options

Coconut Sugar

Natural sugar made from coconut palm sap with caramel-like flavor, used in cooking and baking

Brown Sugar(1:1)
Granulated Sugar(1:1)
+4 more options

Dark Brown Sugar

Sweetener made from sugar and molasses with rich, caramel flavor, used in baking and cooking

Light Brown Sugar + Molasses(1:1 + 1 tbsp molasses per cup)
White Sugar + Molasses(1:1 + 2 tbsp molasses per cup)
+4 more options

Dark Molasses

Thick, dark syrup with robust, bitter flavor, used in baking and cooking

Light Molasses(1:1)
Dark Brown Sugar(1:1)
+1 more options

Granulated Sugar

White refined sugar with fine crystals, used in cooking and baking

Brown Sugar(1:1)
Honey(1:1)
+4 more options

Honey

Natural sweetener made by bees with floral, sweet flavor, used in cooking and baking

Maple Syrup(1:1)
Agave Nectar(1:1)
+5 more options

Hot Honey

Honey infused with chili peppers for sweet and spicy flavor, used as a condiment and cooking ingredient

Honey + Cayenne Pepper(1:1 + 1/4 tsp cayenne per cup)
Sriracha + Honey(1:1)
+4 more options

Maple Syrup

Natural sweetener made from maple tree sap with distinctive flavor, used in cooking and baking

Honey(1:1)
Agave Nectar(1:1)
+5 more options

Molasses

Dark, thick syrup made from sugarcane or sugar beets, with a robust, slightly bitter flavor

Dark Corn Syrup(1:1)
Maple Syrup(1:1)
+4 more options

Powdered Sugar

Finely ground sugar with cornstarch, used for frosting and dusting

Granulated Sugar + Cornstarch(1 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch)
Granulated Sugar + Arrowroot(1 cup sugar + 1 tbsp arrowroot powder)
+3 more options

Sugar

Sweet crystalline substance used for sweetening and browning in cooking and baking

Honey(1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup honey)
Maple Syrup(1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup maple syrup)
+6 more options

Sugar Syrup

Sweet liquid made from sugar and water, used in cocktails and baking

Honey(1:1)
Agave Nectar(1:1)
+4 more options

Superfine Sugar

Very fine granulated sugar that dissolves quickly, used in baking and beverages

Regular Granulated Sugar(1:1)
Powdered Sugar(1:1)
+4 more options

Turbinado Sugar

Partially refined sugar with large crystals and light brown color, used in baking and as a natural sweetener

Brown Sugar(1:1)
Raw Sugar(1:1)
+4 more options

Vanilla Sugar

Sugar infused with vanilla flavor, used in baking and desserts

Regular Sugar + Vanilla Extract(1:1 + 1 tsp extract per cup)
Vanilla Bean Sugar(1:1)
+1 more options

Flours & Starches

Base ingredients for structure and texture

All Purpose Flour

Versatile wheat flour with medium protein content, used in baking and cooking

Bread Flour(1:1)
Cake Flour(1 cup all-purpose = 1 cup minus 2 tbsp cake flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch)
+5 more options

Almond Flour

Ground almond flour with nutty, sweet flavor, used in gluten-free baking

Coconut Flour(1 cup almond flour = 1/4 cup coconut flour + 4 eggs)
Hazelnut Flour(1:1)
+5 more options

Besan Flour

Flour made from ground chickpeas with nutty flavor, used in Indian cooking and gluten-free baking

Chickpea Flour(1:1)
Almond Flour(1:1)
+1 more options

Bread Flour

High-protein flour with gluten for chewy bread texture

All-Purpose Flour + Vital Wheat Gluten(1 cup flour + 1-2 tsp vital wheat gluten)
All-Purpose Flour + Protein Powder(1 cup flour + 1 tbsp protein powder)
+3 more options

Cornstarch

Fine white powder used for thickening sauces, soups, and gravies

Arrowroot Powder(1:1)
Tapioca Starch(1:1)
+2 more options

Durum Flour

High-protein flour made from durum wheat, used for pasta and bread making

Bread Flour(1:1)
All-Purpose Flour(1:1)
+1 more options

Flour

Ground grain used as the base for most baked goods and as a thickening agent

Almond Flour(1 cup flour = 1 cup almond flour)
Coconut Flour(1 cup flour = 1/4 cup coconut flour)
+2 more options

Hazelnut Flour

Ground hazelnuts used as a flour alternative, high in protein and healthy fats

Almond Flour(1:1)
Coconut Flour(1:4)
+1 more options

Potato Flour

Fine powder made from whole potatoes including skin, used in baking and cooking for texture and flavor

Potato Starch(1:1)
Rice Flour(1:1)
+3 more options

Rice Flour

Fine flour made from ground rice with neutral flavor and light texture, used in baking and cooking

All-Purpose Flour(1:1)
Tapioca Flour(1:1)
+4 more options

Tapioca Flour

Starch flour made from cassava root with neutral flavor and binding properties, used in baking and cooking

Cornstarch(1:1)
Arrowroot Powder(1:1)
+4 more options

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickening agent made from fermented sugar, used in gluten-free baking and cooking

Guar Gum(1:1)
Psyllium Husk(1:1)
+4 more options

Dairy & Eggs

Ingredients that add richness and binding

Almond Butter

Spread made from ground almonds, used as a nut butter alternative and in baking

Peanut Butter(1:1)
Cashew Butter(1:1)
+1 more options

Butter Beans

Large, creamy white beans with mild, buttery flavor, used in cooking and salads

Lima Beans(1:1)
Cannellini Beans(1:1)
+4 more options

Butter Flavoring

Artificial flavoring that mimics butter taste, used in baking and cooking

Real Butter(1:1)
Ghee(1:1)
+1 more options

Butter Lettuce

Tender, sweet lettuce with soft, buttery leaves commonly used in salads and wraps

Bibb Lettuce(1:1)
Boston Lettuce(1:1)
+4 more options

Butter for Oil

Learn how to substitute butter for oil in your recipes

Ghee(1:1)
Clarified Butter(1:1)
+3 more options

Butter

Rich, creamy dairy product made from churned cream, used for cooking, baking, and spreading

Vegetable Oil(1 cup butter = 3/4 cup oil)
Margarine(1:1)
+4 more options

Butterhead Lettuce

Tender, sweet lettuce with soft, buttery leaves that form loose heads, commonly used in salads and wraps

Butter Lettuce(1:1)
Bibb Lettuce(1:1)
+4 more options

Butterkase Cheese

German semi-soft cheese with buttery, mild flavor, used in cooking and snacking

Havarti(1:1)
Gouda(1:1)
+4 more options

Buttermilk

Tangy, slightly sour milk with thick consistency, used in baking and cooking

Milk + Lemon Juice(1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
Milk + White Vinegar(1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar)
+4 more options

Cacao Butter

Pure fat extracted from cacao beans, used in chocolate making and skincare

Coconut Oil(1:1)
Cocoa Butter(1:1)
+1 more options

Condensed Milk

Sweetened, concentrated milk with thick, syrupy consistency, used in baking and desserts

Evaporated Milk + Sugar(1:1 + sugar to taste)
Heavy Cream + Sugar(1:1 + sugar to taste)
+1 more options

Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet frosting made with cream cheese, butter, and sugar, used in baking and desserts

Buttercream Frosting(1:1)
Whipped Cream(1:1)
+1 more options

Cream Cheese

Soft, spreadable cheese with mild, tangy flavor and creamy texture, used in cooking and baking

Mascarpone(1:1)
Greek Yogurt(1 cup cream cheese = 1 cup Greek yogurt + 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1/4 tsp salt)
+5 more options

Cream of Tartar

Potassium bitartrate, an acidic powder that stabilizes egg whites, prevents sugar crystallization, and acts as a leavening agent in baking

Lemon Juice(1/2 tsp lemon juice per 1/8 tsp cream of tartar)
White Vinegar(1/2 tsp white vinegar per 1/8 tsp cream of tartar)
+4 more options

Deggi Mirch

Mild, sweet chili powder from India with vibrant red color, used in Indian cooking

Paprika(1:1)
Kashmiri Chili Powder(1:1)
+4 more options

Dry Milk Powder

Dehydrated milk powder with long shelf life, used in baking and cooking

Fresh Milk(1:1)
Buttermilk Powder(1:1)
+4 more options

Dry Milk

Dehydrated milk powder with concentrated flavor and long shelf life, used in cooking and baking

Regular Milk(1:1)
Buttermilk Powder(1:1)
+4 more options

Egg Wash

Beaten egg mixture used to glaze and brown baked goods

Milk(1:1)
Butter(1:1)
+1 more options

Egg Whites

Clear, protein-rich part of eggs with binding and leavening properties, used in cooking and baking

Aquafaba(1:1)
Flax Eggs(1:1)
+8 more options

Eggs

Versatile protein-rich ingredient used for binding, leavening, and moisture in cooking and baking

Flax Egg(1 egg = 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
Chia Egg(1 egg = 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water)
+6 more options

Evaporated Milk

Concentrated milk with 60% water removed, used in cooking and baking

Half-and-Half(1:1)
Heavy Cream(1:1)
+4 more options

Heavy Cream

High-fat dairy product used for whipping, thickening, and adding richness to dishes

Half and Half + Butter(1 cup heavy cream = 3/4 cup half and half + 1/4 cup butter)
Milk + Butter(1 cup heavy cream = 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup butter)
+2 more options

Heavy Whipping Cream

High-fat dairy product used for whipping and adding richness to dishes

Milk + Butter(3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter)
Half and Half + Butter(1/2 cup half and half + 1/2 cup melted butter)
+3 more options

Liquid Egg Substitute

Pasteurized liquid egg product made from real eggs, designed as a convenient and safe alternative to fresh eggs for baking and cooking

Fresh Eggs(1 large egg per 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute)
Flax Eggs(1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute)
+5 more options

Milk

Nutritious liquid used in cooking, baking, and beverages

Oat Milk(1:1)
Almond Milk(1:1)
+4 more options

Skim Milk

Low-fat milk with 0.5% fat content and thin consistency, used in cooking and as a beverage

1% Milk(1:1)
2% Milk(1:1)
+4 more options

Sour Cream

Cultured cream with tangy, creamy flavor, used in cooking and as a topping

Greek Yogurt(1:1)
Buttermilk(1:1)
+4 more options

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Thick, sweet milk with concentrated flavor, used in baking and desserts

Evaporated Milk + Sugar(1:1 + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)
Heavy Cream + Sugar(1:1 + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)
+4 more options

Vegan Butter

Plant-based butter alternative with similar flavor and texture, used in cooking and baking

Regular Butter(1:1)
Coconut Oil(1:1)
+4 more options

Whipping Cream

High-fat cream that can be whipped to create peaks, used in desserts and cooking

Heavy Cream(1:1)
Coconut Cream(1:1)
+4 more options

Whole Milk

Full-fat milk with 3.25% fat content and creamy texture, used in cooking and as a beverage

2% Milk(1:1)
Heavy Cream(1:1)
+4 more options

Essential Baking Tips

Measurement Accuracy

  • •Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements
  • •Spoon flour into measuring cups, don't scoop
  • •Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge
  • •Use liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients

Temperature Control

  • •Bring ingredients to room temperature before mixing
  • •Preheat your oven for at least 15 minutes
  • •Use an oven thermometer to verify temperature
  • •Don't open the oven door during the first half of baking

Substitution Guidelines

  • •Start with 1/2 the amount of substitute and adjust
  • •Consider the role of the ingredient in your recipe
  • •Test substitutions in small batches first
  • •Some substitutions may require recipe adjustments

Common Baking Mistakes

  • •Don't overmix batter - it creates tough baked goods
  • •Measure ingredients accurately - baking is a science
  • •Don't substitute all ingredients at once
  • •Let baked goods cool completely before cutting

Popular Baking Substitutions

Most Searched

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By Recipe Type

Cakes:Eggs, Butter, Flour, Sugar
Cookies:Butter, Sugar, Flour, Eggs
Bread:Yeast, Flour, Water, Salt
Muffins:Flour, Sugar, Eggs, Oil

Baking Conversion Chart

IngredientBest SubstituteRatioNotes
1 EggApplesauce1/4 cupFor binding
1 cup ButterCoconut Oil1:1Solid at room temp
1 cup SugarHoney3/4 cupReduce liquid by 1/4
1 cup All-Purpose FlourBread Flour1:1Higher protein content
1 tsp Baking PowderBaking Soda + Cream of Tartar1/4 tsp + 1/2 tspAdd acid

Related Resources

Complete Substitution Guide

Master all types of ingredient substitutions

Vegan Substitution Guide

Plant-based alternatives for baking

Gluten-Free Substitution Guide

Gluten-free baking alternatives

Baking Conversion Chart

Essential conversions for baking

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