We have all been in a position where we ran out of the ingredients needed to make the dish we planned. This happens all the time in our lives. Sometimes, we don’t have enough baking soda. Other times, we run out of baking powder or chocolate. Even though we work so hard to prepare for the recipe, sometimes we forget to buy or write down the items we need. The shops are closed when we realize what we don’t have, and we can’t get the things we need.
There is another way to solve this problem. You can replace any ingredients you don’t own with other ingredients. There are many baking ingredients available that can help you. Below is a large list of ingredients. These substitutions may make the recipe more delicious, even though the flavor and smell might not be the exact same.
Chocolate
Mix 15 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of granulated Sugar to replace 30g of bitter or semi-sweet chocolate. You can also substitute unsweetened chocolate with three tablespoons (20 grams) organic cocoa powder, and one tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter.
Cocoa powder
Three tablespoons of cocoa powder (20 grams) is enough to make a small piece of unsweetened chocolate (30 grams). Add 1/8 teaspoon baking soda. The recipe should be reduced by one tablespoon. Unsweetened cocoa powder can be substituted by 30 grams unsweetened chocolate. The fat will be reduced by one tablespoon.
Baking Powder
You can replace 3/4 teaspoons ammonium bicarbonate with 1 teaspoon baking soda if you don’t have it. One teaspoon of baking powder can be replaced with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon tartar cream, and 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch.
You can make one teaspoon of baking powder by using 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon tartar cream. One teaspoon of this mixture can be added to each cup of flour. You can substitute a teaspoon of baking soda for two teaspoons of double-baked. Also, instead of using a sour fluid, use a non-acidic liquid. Instead of half a teaspoon of baking soda, use a quarter teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate.
Flour
You can substitute one cup of self-growing flour (around140 grams) with one cup universal flour. Mix one cup with half a teaspoon of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt. One cup of whole wheat flour (around 150g) can be substituted with 7/8 cup (around120g) of universal flour, mixed with 2 tablespoons (that’s 6 grams) wheat germ.
You can mix 3/4 cup flour (around 100g) with 2 tablespoons cornstarch (30g) to make 1 cup cake flour. 1/3 cup all-purpose flour can be added to the flour. Then, add one-half teaspoon flour.
Milk
Mix one cup buttermilk (around 240ml) with one tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes before using. You can substitute 400g of sweet condensed milk with a mixture consisting of 1 cup instant milk, 2/3 cups (that’s 135 grams) granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons (that’s 35 grams) unsalted butter. The mixture should be boiled for around 120ml.
One cup of whole milk (240ml) can be substituted with one cup skim milk, mixed with two tablespoons margarine (or melted butter) (around 25g).
Cream
One cup cream (240ml) can easily be substituted with 7/8 cup whole milk (around 200ml) and two tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (which is 25 grams). You can also substitute 1 cup of heavy cream by mixing 2/3 cup whole milk (approx 160 ml) and 1/3 cup melted unsalted (approx 75 grams).
Instead of half a teaspoon of tartar sauce, use a teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.
You can substitute one cup of sour milk for one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon-juice by adding one cup of wholemilk to one tablespoon.
One cup plain yogurt can be substituted for one cup of sour milk. You can also substitute one cup of sour milk for one cup plain yogurt.
Other ingredients you might find in your daily life
- If you’re looking for a strong cup of coffee but don’t have any, you can mix two tablespoons (10g) of instant coffee with three tablespoons hot water. This will replace 60 ml coffee.
- Combine 3/4 cup light corn syrup (around 180ml) and 1/4 cup light molasses (60% ml). This mixture can replace 1 cup of dark corn syrup.
- Two tablespoons of all purpose flour can be used to thicken a cornstarch-based recipe.
- Use 3/4 cup dark or light corn syrup, and half cup granulated sugar in place of 1 cup honey (that’s 240ml).
- A half-cup of solid vegetable replaces half a cup of fat
- One cup dark corn syrup can be substituted for one cup molasses.
- Instead of 1/4 cup vinegar, use 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice.
This list should be saved. It’s not likely that you will ever need it. It can be printed or written down, and placed on your fridge. You will be able to quickly identify what to do if you are lacking an ingredient. It’s better to substitute something in the recipe than not to put it all and ruin the recipe. We hope you find these tips helpful.