So, we've all been there. We have the cake batter half mixed, and only then do we realize we don't have all the ingredients.
Or we've started that new recipe for the dinner party, then find out that what we thought was in the pantry, isn't. So what do we do? There's always the corner market...if you are lucky enough to have one close-by.
Or you can substitute. Some of the more common substitutions are listed below for your browsing pleasure. (corner market not included!)
| INGREDIENT | AMOUNT | SUBSTITUTION |
| Allspice | 1 Tsp | 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground cloves |
| Baking Powder | 1 Tsp. | 1/3 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar or 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 cup sour milk buttermilk or yogurt(decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/2 cup) or 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/4-1/2 cup molasses (decrease liquid in recipe by 1-2 tbsp.) |
| Baking Soda | Any | There is NO substitute for Baking Soda |
| Bread Crumbs (dry) |
1/3 Cup | 1 slice of bread |
| Bread Crumbs (soft) |
3/4 Cup | 1 slice of bread |
| Butter | 1 Cup | 1 cup reg. margarine or 1 cup veg. shortening(for baking) or An equal amount of oil can be used for melted butter |
| Buttermilk | 1 Cup | 1 tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar + reg. milk to equal 1 cup |
| Catsup | 1 Cup | 1 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tbsp. vinegar (for use in cooking) |
| Chocolate (unsweetened) |
1 Oz. | 3 tbsp. cocoa + 1 tbsp. butter or reg. margarine or veg. oil |
| Cornstarch (for thickening) |
1 tbsp. | 2 tbsp. flour |
| Corn Syrup | 1 Cup | 1 cup honey or 1 cup sugar + 1/4 cup liquid (whatever is included in recipe) |
| Cream Cheese (lowfat) |
Any | Part skim milk ricotta cheese or cottage cheese, blended smooth |
| Cream (1/2 & 1/2) |
1 Cup | 7/8 cup whole milk + 1/2 tbsp. butter or margarine or 3 tbsp. oil + milk to = 1 cup or 1 cup evaporated milk |
| Cream (heavy) |
1 Cup | 3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup butter or margarine (can be used in cooking and baking) or 2/3 cup buttermilk + 1/3 cup oil or Evaporated skim milk or equal amounts of skim milk, ricotta cheese, and nonfat yogurt beaten until smooth (do not heat this mixture) |
| Cream (light) |
1 Cup | 1 cup undiluted evaporated milk or 14 tbsp. milk + 3 tbsp. butter or margarine |
| Cream of Tartar | 1/2 Tsp. | 1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar |
| Egg | 1 Whole Egg | 1/4 cup egg substitute or 2 tbsp. mayonnaise (suitable for use in cake batter) or 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1 tbsp. vinegar + 1 tbsp. liquid (for baking only) |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1 Cup | 1/2 cup whole wheat flour + 1/2 cup all purpose flour |
| Cake Flour | 1 Cup | 1 cup - 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour |
| Self-Rising Flour | 1 cup | 1 cup - 2 tsp. all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1/2 tsp. salt |
| Garlic | 1 Sm. Clove | 1/8 tsp. garlic powder |
| Honey | 1 Cup | 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup of liquid |
| Herbs, fresh |
1 tbsp., finely cut |
1 tsp. dried leaf herbs or 1/2 tsp. ground dried herbs |
| Lemon Zest | 1 tsp. | 1/2 tsp. lemon extract |
|
Mayonnaise (for salads and dressing) |
1 Cup |
1 cup sour cream or 1 cup yogurt or 1 cup cottage cheese, pureed |
| Milk (evaporated) |
1 Can (12 oz) | 1 cup nonfat dry milk + 1 3/4 cups warm water whipped until smooth |
| Milk, Sweetened Condensed |
1 Can (1 1/3 cups) | 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar + 3 tbsp. butter(heat until solids are dissolved) or Add 1 cup + 2 tbsp. dry milk powder to 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well. Add 3/4 cup sugar and stir until smooth |
| Onion | 1 Small or 1/4 cup chopped |
1 tbsp. instant minced onion |
| Rum | Any | 1 part rum extract + 3 parts water |
| Shortening (in baking) |
1 Cup | 1 cup - 2 tbsp. lard or 1 1/8 cup butter/margarine (decrease salt by 1/2 tsp) |
| Sugar Confectioner's or Powdered |
1 Cup | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp. cornstarch, processed in a food processor until well-blended and powdery |
| Wine, Red | Any | Same amount of grape juice or cranberry juice |
| Wine, White | Any | Same amount of apple juice or white grape juice |
| Yogurt, plain | 1 Cup | 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup cottage cheese, blended smooth or 1 cup sour cream |