Making cake flour is an essential step in creating the perfect cake. Cake flour is a type of flour that is specifically made for making cakes. It has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour, which results in a lighter and more tender texture.
But what if you don’t have cake flour in your pantry? Don’t worry, you can easily make your own cake flour at home with just a few simple steps.
To make cake flour, all you need is all-purpose flour and cornstarch. The recipe calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour, which needs to be reduced to 3/4 cup. In order to achieve this, you will need to sift the all-purpose flour and then measure out 3/4 cup. Then, for every 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour, you will need to add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift the mixture a few times to ensure that the cornstarch is evenly distributed.
By substituting all-purpose flour with this homemade cake flour, you can achieve almost the same chewiness and texture as specialty cake flours.
So the next time you take out your baking tools and open up your recipe book, don’t panic if you don’t have cake flour on hand. Now you know how to easily make your own cake flour with just a few simple ingredients. Give it a try and see the difference it makes in your cakes!
Special thanks to Fauzia’s Kitchen Fun Blog for the inspiration for this recipe!
How to Make Cake Flour
Cake flour is made from a combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to reduce the protein content in the flour, which in turn creates a softer and more delicate texture in the cake. Making cake flour at home is a simple process that only requires two ingredients: all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make cake flour:
- Start by measuring out 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
- Next, remove 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
- Sift the mixture together several times to ensure that the flour and cornstarch are fully combined.
- Your homemade cake flour is now ready to use in your recipes! Simply substitute it for the cake flour called for in the recipe.
It’s important to note that while this homemade cake flour substitute is suitable for most cake recipes, it may not work as well in specialty cakes that require a specific type of flour. Also, keep in mind that cake flour has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour, which means it has less gluten. This reduction in gluten is what gives cakes made with cake flour a tender and delicate crumb.
So the next time you find yourself in need of cake flour, don’t rush out to the store. Instead, follow this simple process to make it at home and enjoy the light and fluffy cakes it helps create!
Sources: fauziaskitchenfun.com, allrecipes.com
How To Make Cake Flour Self-Rising Flour
If you enjoy baking cakes, you may have come across a recipe that calls for cake flour or self-rising flour. These specialty flours have unique properties that make them suitable for specific types of baked goods. However, they are not always readily available in every kitchen. Fortunately, you can easily create your own cake flour and self-rising flour substitutes using simple ingredients.
Cake Flour Substitute
Cake flour is a low-protein flour that is commonly used in baking delicate and tender cakes. It has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour, contributing to its fine texture and soft crumb. To make cake flour at home, you will need:
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
To make cake flour, simply measure out 1 cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 tablespoons of it. Replace the 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift the mixture several times to ensure the cornstarch is evenly distributed. You can now confidently use your homemade cake flour in any cake recipe.
Self-Rising Flour Substitute
Self-rising flour is another type of flour often called for in recipes for biscuits, muffins, pancakes, and other quick breads. It contains a leavening agent, such as baking powder, which helps the dough rise without the need for additional ingredients. To make self-rising flour at home, you will need:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, you will need to add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Sift the mixture together several times to ensure even distribution of the ingredients. Your homemade self-rising flour is now ready to use in your favorite recipes.
These homemade substitutes can be a real lifesaver when you are in the middle of baking and realize you don’t have the necessary flours on hand. With just a few simple steps and common ingredients, you can create your own cake flour and self-rising flour, saving you a trip to the store. So, the next time you find yourself in a pinch, don’t hesitate to try out these easy DIY flour substitutes.
Specialty Flours
When it comes to making cakes, all-purpose flour is the go-to ingredient for most recipes. However, there are times when you may want to explore different options and experiment with specialty flours. These flours can add a unique flavor, texture, or nutritional benefits to your baked goods.
One popular type of specialty flour is cake flour. Unlike all-purpose flour, cake flour is made from a softer wheat that has less gluten. The reduced gluten content gives cakes made with cake flour a lighter, softer texture and a more delicate crumb structure.
To make cake flour at home, you can take all-purpose flour and replace a portion of it with cornstarch. This substitution will reduce the gluten content and create a flour that is more suitable for cakes. Simply sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to make 1 cup of cake flour.
Another specialty flour that can be used in baking is self-rising flour. This flour is a combination of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. It is commonly used in recipes that call for self-rising flour and can be used to make biscuits, pancakes, or other baked goods that need a leavening agent.
If you are looking for a gluten-free option, there are specialty flours made from grains such as rice, almond, coconut, or oat. These flours can be used as a substitute for all-purpose flour in gluten-free recipes. They have a slightly different texture and flavor, but can still produce delicious baked goods.
Specialty flours can be found in many grocery stores or online. They are a great way to add variety to your baking and explore different flavors and textures. So the next time you open your recipe blog, consider trying a specialty flour to create a unique and delicious treat for yourself or for your loved ones.
Reduced Chewiness
If you want to create a cake with reduced chewiness, there is a simple substitute that you can use. According to Fauzia’s Kitchen Fun blog, you can replace all-purpose flour with a mixture of cake flour and cornstarch. This combination of flours will help to create a lighter and less dense texture in your cakes.
To make this substitute, you will need to sift together 1 cup of cake flour and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. This will yield approximately 1 cup of the homemade cake flour substitute. In Fauzia’s recipe, she calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour, so you can simply replace it with this homemade cake flour substitute.
This homemade cake flour substitute is suitable for making cakes, as well as other baked goods that call for cake flour. It is important to note that cake flour is a specialty flour that is typically used in more delicate and tender baked goods. It has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour, which contributes to the reduced chewiness in the final product.
So, if you want to reduce the chewiness in your cakes, give this homemade cake flour substitute a try. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in the texture of your baked goods.
Sources
- This recipe on how to make cake flour comes from Fauzia’s Kitchen Fun, a blog created by Fauzia, a specialty baker.
- One of the sources used in this article was a blog post by Fauzia’s sister, who shared a step-by-step guide on how to make cake flour at home.
- Another source used in this article is a self-taught baker and pastry chef who specializes in making specialty cakes using different types of flours.
- In addition, open-food-facts.org provided information on the composition of all-purpose flour, which helped explain why cake flour is suitable for making cakes.
- A blog post by a self-rising flour manufacturer was also used as a source to understand how self-rising flour can be substituted for cake flour in certain recipes.
- Lastly, the book “The Science of Baking” by Joe Pastry provided insights into the role of cornstarch in creating a softer and more tender texture in cakes made with cake flour.