Out of an ingredient mid-recipe? These reliable swaps use what is usually already in the kitchen. Quantities are per the amount the recipe calls for.
| Recipe calls for | Substitute |
|---|---|
| 1 cup buttermilk | 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, rest 5 min |
| 1 large egg | 1/4 cup applesauce, or 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water |
| 1 cup self-rising flour | 1 cup all-purpose + 1.5 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt |
| 1 tsp baking powder | 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar |
| 1 cup sour cream | 1 cup plain yogurt |
| 1 cup heavy cream | 3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup melted butter |
| 1 cup brown sugar | 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses |
| 1 cup cake flour | 1 cup all-purpose minus 2 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp cornstarch |
| 1 oz unsweetened chocolate | 3 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp butter or oil |
Substitutions shift texture. They rescue a recipe but rarely match exactly — expect small changes in rise, color, or richness.
See Common Baking Substitutions for more.