HELP! Baking Substitutions

I'm sure we have all been there before.  You decide to bake something and half way through realize you are out of something that the recipe calls for.  I know it happens to me, actually a lot more than I like to admit.  While sometimes the only answer is a quick run to the corner grocery, there are times when a substitution can be just what you needed.  There are a few things that I don't like to try and substitute, they are baking soda and baking powder, I don't ever try and use one for the other and really there is no substitute for these, unless you want to risk some flat baked goods.  Also making sure that they are fresh is important.  But for most other common items there is a substitute available.  So why do I bring this up now?  Well Sunday morning saw me with a need for pancakes, from scratch.  I was sure we had everything.  Wrong.  With half of the ingredients in the bowl I realized I only had a cup of milk left and about three tablespoons of butter.  Uh-oh.  These pancakes were getting made, I had promised them and nothing, I mean nothing was going to have me dragging two kids to the store first thing in the morning.  So I improvised.  Water for the rest of the milk, oil for the butter.  They tasted the same, I could not tell a bit of difference.  So it got me thinking about other substitutes and I figured if I need them so do you.  So I have put together a handy little list of common substitutes to help you out with any baking crisis.  Also check out the pancake recipe too, so yummy.

Cornstarch- 1 tbs= 2 tbs flour

Balsamic Vinegar- 1 tbs. = 1 tbs cider vinegar + 1 tsp white sugar

Brown Sugar- 2 tbs. molasses + 1 c. white sugar

Butter- 1 c. = 7/8 c. vegetable oil, for salted butter add 1 tsp salt

Buttermilk- 1 c. = 1 tbs lemon juice or vinegar plus 1 c. regular milk

Chocolate- 1 square(1oz) unsweetened chocolate= 3 tbs cocoa plus 1 tbs butter

Corn Syrup Dark- 1 c.= 3/4c. light corn syrup + 1/4 c. molasses

Corn Syrup Light- 1 c. = 1 c. honey OR 1 c. white sugar + 1/4 c. water

Cream (heavy)- 1 c. = 3/4 c. milk + 1/3 c. butter

Cream of Tarter- 1 tsp = 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar

Egg-  1 egg = 3 tbs. mayonnaise OR half a banana mashed with 1/2 tsp baking powder OR 1 tbs baking powder + 1 tbs oil + 1 tbs warm water OR 1 tbs baking powder + 1 tbs apple cider vinegar + 1 tbs warm water

Garlic- 1 clove garlic= 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Herbs- 1 tbs fresh= 1 tsp dried

Hot Sauce-  1 tbs = 1 tsp cayenne + 2 tsp vinegar

Milk- 1 c. = 3/4 c. water + 3 tbs butter or oil.

Oil-  1 c. oil= 1 c. applesauce OR 1 c. Sour cream OR 1 c. yogurt

Pumpkin Pie Spice-  1 tsp= 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp allspice, 1/8 tsp ginger

Sour Cream-  1 c. = 1 c. yogurt

Wine- 1 c. = 1 c. apple juice

Pancake Recipe
3 c. flour
7 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 tbs sugar (I used stevia)
2 1/2 c. milk ( I used 1 c. milk plus 1 1/2 c. water)
2 eggs
6 tbs melted butter ( I used 3 tbs butter and 3 tbs oil)
mix up until just blended, mix will be lumpy.  I like my batter a little thinner so I add another tbs water to thin it out.  Spoon a laddle at a time into a hot greased pan or griddle, flip when you see bubbles (apprx 1 min).  cook other side for 30 seconds and remove with a spatula onto a plate.  This recipe makes 4 big portion or six smaller ones.


I hope this list comes in handy.  Now I'm off to make dinner, looking at those pancakes has made me hungry!

Kim