10 Common Baking Substitutes when your Pantry is Running Low

Are you running on limited pantry supplies but still wanting to bake?  With more time at home, now is such a great time to bake all of the things you have always wanted to.  If baking supplies are holding you back from rocking it in the kitchen then this post of 10 Common Baking Substitutes is just for you.  These are simple and easy things you can switch out when your recipe calls for something you don’t have on hand.  Keep scrolling for the FREE pdf.

I have gotten quite a few messages from readers who are trying to make recipes but struggling because they don’t have a specific item on hand.  

Grocery stores are having a hard time keeping things in stock and so it is time to get creative in the kitchen and work with baking substitutes.

That doesn’t mean that we need to stop baking because there is almost always a baking substitute you can use in place of the item you are missing.

Top 10 Common Baking Substitutes:

Flour:

If you are out of flour then baking can be super difficult {obviously} but that is when you turn to cake and brownie mixes for bases.  I have an entire section dedicated to Cookies {so many of them are Cake Mix Cookies} that are not only delicious but also require no flour.

There are also ways to make cake flour and self-rising flour with your all purpose flour and pantry items.  Keep scrolling to get all of the measurements and details in the FREE pdf.

Sugar:

Brown and granulated sugars can be substituted for each other when in a pinch.  You will just have to know that your end product might be a little different. 

Brown sugar tends to brown baked goods quicker with a softer texture and granulated sugar can leave you with a crispier texture.  There are also other ingredients you can use and combine to substitute.

These Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies are a great option if you only have brown sugar on hand and Confetti Sprinkle Cookies are awesome when you are looking for a recipe that only uses granulated sugar.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda:

There are definitely differences between baking powder and baking soda, so you shouldn’t use them in place of the other.  Especially in exact quantities but there are ways to get around it if you have one or the other.

See the FREE pdf below for all of the details.  Make this Banana Crumb Cake when baking powder is what you have and Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies for a fabulous baked item that uses baking soda.

Heavy Cream:

Heavy cream has been one of the items that has been harder to find where I am.  Unless you are at the store when it opens, then it is gone.  I never realized how much I use it until I can’t get it.

Thankfully there are options for substitutes.  Will either of them make whipped cream?  NO!  But they sure work when you are baking or even cooking something like Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.

Buttermilk:

I rarely buy buttermilk, so the baking substitutes are normally what I do at home when a recipe calls for buttermilk.  Adding a little tang to your milk works every single time.

See the FREE pdf for exact measurements and go bake some Crumb Cake Donuts.

Sweetened Condensed Milk:

Ok, now making the substitute for sweetened condensed milk can be a little complicated but if it means the difference between having No Bake Key Lime Pie or not having No Bake Key Lime Pie, then I say go for it!

Evaporated Milk:

There is an easy substitute for evaporated milk and honestly…I think that whole milk would work too.  

Try it in these Mini Pumpkin Pies and enjoy a little Fall this Spring.

Other Common Baking Substitutes:

Chocolate Chips:  If you don’t have chocolate chips then use whatever kind of chips you have on hand.  Cut up a candy bar.  Crush up some cookies.  Add raisins, nuts or do my Darb’s favorite thing and leave them out altogether.

Here is the FREE pdf, perfect to view or even print.  I hope this helps you navigate this strange time and start baking.  

 

If you are looking for Healthier Baking Substitutes than I have you covered too! 

No matter what you are having trouble finding I hope these 10 Common Baking Substitutes will help you get back on track.  I am also always here to help.  Just comment or email me.  Happy baking, keep safe and stay well.