Cake flour is low-protein (7–9%), giving cakes a fine, tender crumb. It is easy to fake at home. Whether you ran out mid-recipe or need a dietary swap, here are the best substitutes for cake flour, with exact amounts.
Use: 1 cup AP flour minus 2 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp cornstarch for 1 cup cake flour
Sift together twice before using.
The classic homemade cake flour.
The best all-round substitute is AP flour + cornstarch: use 1 cup AP flour minus 2 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp cornstarch for 1 cup cake flour. Sift together twice before using. The classic homemade cake flour.
Vegan options: AP flour + cornstarch.
Missing something else? Search all 48 ingredients in the substitute finder.