In a pinch and need cake flour? I will teach you how to make cake flour at home so you create perfectly tender, soft and moist cakes each and every time!
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This is a post that should have already been on my blog a super long time ago. I am literally asked about cake flour on almost every single cake recipe I post.
That’s because I use cake flour almost exclusively though you will sometimes find all purpose flour or even self rising flour sprinkled in. Every now and again, I will want the texture to be different like in my Chocolate Birthday Cake or Lemon Layer Cake where I use all purpose flour but overall cake flour is my stand by.
What is Cake Flour?
Cake Flour is a speciality type of flour that has a lower protein ratio than that found in All Purpose flour. Because of its lower protein ratio (only about 8%), it naturally creates less gluten making it a wonderful selection for baking when you want your final results to be much more tender and soft. It is also usually bleached.
It is generally lighter than all purpose flour as well since it is sifted several times when made. Cake flour comes in at a weight of 4 ounces while all purpose flour measured in the same amount comes out to 4 ½ ounces.
This is important information to keep in mind when making substitutions in your baking.
What Flour Brands Do You Use?
I personally buy and use Swans Down. It has been used for making cakes in my family for years, and I totally trust it.
It does require additional sifting but that is totally fine since I know it will make the cake even lighter.
How to Make Cake Flour
This is a very easy recipe that you can follow if you don’t have any at home.
You will need all purpose flour, cornstarch and a sifter! For every cup of cake flour you recipe requires, simple measure 1 level cup of all purpose flour then remove 2 tablespoons of the flour.
Next measure and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the flour and sift 4-5 times. This will work whenever you are in a pinch.
The cornstarch addition stops gluten formation in your cakes but also provides more of that tender structure we love about cake. This is why I love it so much!
Cakes That Use Cake Flour
Here are some of my favorite recipes that truly benefit from the soft texture that it provides. Give them a try and let me know what you think!
- Ultimate Lemon Pound Cake
- 7 Up Pound Cake
- Pineapple Rum Cake
- Kentucky Butter Cake
- Caramel Cake
- German Chocolate Cake
- Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Sour Cream Pound Cake
Other Tutorials to Try
If you are missing other ingredients, try making this DIY Powdered Sugar or this Egg Substitution List and the Ultimate List of Baking Substitutions!
How To Make Cake Flour
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Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- For every cup of cake flour you recipe requires, simple measure 1 level cup of all purpose flour then remove 2 tablespoons of the flour.
- Next measure and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the flour and sift 4-5 times.
- Use in your recipe requiring cake flour.
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I use almond flour or coconut flour for baking.I don’t use flour for any thing so can I use almond flour for the pound cake recipe.I would go by the recipe but use almond flour instead of cake flour. I just want to know if I can use almond instead of cake flour
It seems like you are already doing so with great success.
Can White Lily brand flour be substituted equally for cake flour in your recipe? I saw another recipe somewhere that said it could. Thanks
No it can’t be in my recipes. I do have this recipe here so you can make it yourself by using all purpose flour and cornstarch.
Can you mix cake flour with all purpose flour.
You can but not sure why you need to unless a recipe requests it. I would keep them separate to keep recipes in tact.
I honestly had no idea you could make your own cake flour but definitely will use this the next time I make a cake! I always have flour and cornstarch on hand so no need to buy it!
We use the same recipe to make an emergency cake flour. It’s not all the time that my pantry is stocked with cake flour, but it’s almost a guarantee that I will have all-purpose and cornstarch. 🙂
I am a terrible baker. I had no idea what I was doing wrong! Thanks for the tip on making my own cake flour.
Can’t wait to try this, I love making cakes!
This is so great to have on hand. You just never know when you might need it. Thanks!
Wow! I’ve used cake flour for years (Swans Down for me too), but I literally had no idea what made it different from all purpose flour. Also, it’s great to know how easy it is to make if you find yourself without any. Thanks!
Hey I want to make a container of cake flour. Can you give me the recipe for a container of cake flour like it comes in a box?
Hi Sherri, I would make this recipe for 10 cups of flour so just follow the instructions but increase your measurement there.