Substitutions

In a Pinch Substitutions

  • Allspice  1 teaspoon = 
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Baking Powder  1 teaspoon
 = 1/3 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar   OR  
1/4 teaspoon baking soda +  1/2 cup yogurt or buttermilk (then decrease the liquid in your recipe by 1/2 cup)
  • Breadcrumbs  1 cup
 = 3 slices of lightly toasted bread, crumbled
  • Butter (melted) 1 cup = 

7/8 cup coconut oil (room temperature or melted) OR 1 cup grapeseed oil
  • Butter (solid) 1 cup = 

7/8 cup coconut oil (solid – cold) OR 1 cup solid vegetable shortening (for baking)
  • Buttermilk  1 cup
 = 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar) + enough regular milk to make 1 cup (stir and let sit for 5 minutes)
  • Cream and Half & Half  1 cup = 
7/8th cup whole milk + 1/2 tablespoon butter (or 3 tablespoons olive oil) +  enough milk for 1 cup  OR 
1 cup evaporated milk
  • Chocolate (square)  1 ounce square = 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened) + 1 tablespoon butter
  • Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)  1/4th cup
 = 1 ounce (square) chocolate (then decrease the butter or oil in recipe by 1/2 tablespoon)
  • Condensed Milk  1 cup – 
1/3 cup evaporated milk + 3/4 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons butter. (Microwave on medium until smooth)
  • Cornstarch (for thickening)  1 tablespoon
 = 2 tablespoons flour (will take a little longer to thicken than cornstarch)
  • Egg  1 large whole egg = 

2 tablespoons mayonnaise (baking recipes only) OR 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds + 3 tablespoons water (or other liquid. Stir combination until it becomes gelatinous)
  • Flour (all-purpose) 1 cup = 
1/2 cup whole wheat flour + 1/2 cup of all purpose flour (don’t substitute more than 1/2 the flour)
  • Flour (cake)  1 cup = 7/8 cup all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Milk (whole) 1 cup
 = 1 cup buttermilk + 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (if baking, reduce baking powder by 2 teaspoons) OR 
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk + 7/8 cup water + 2 teaspoons butter OR 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup water
  • Oil (for baking) 1 cup = 1 cup coconut oil (room temperature) OR 1/2 cup applesauce + 1/2 cup oil or butter OR 1 cup melted butter OR 1/2 cup oil + 1/4 cup yogurt + 2 tablespoons yogurt
  • Oil (for cooking or sautéing)  1 cup = 1 cup coconut oil OR 1 cup butter
  • Sour Cream  1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • Brown Sugar 1 cup = 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses
  • Granulated Sugar  1 cup = 
1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar OR 
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar (not in baking recipes) OR 3/4 cup maple syrup or honey (reduce liquid in recipe by 3 tablespoons)
  • Powdered Sugar  1 cup = 
3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Yogurt (Plain)  1 cup
 = 1 cup buttermilk OR 
1 cup cottage cheese (blended smooth) OR 
1 cup sour cream