• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Wine Lover's Kitchen
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Wine
  • Tips 'N Tricks
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Wine
  • Tips 'N Tricks
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Wine
    • Tips 'N Tricks
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Tips

    Flour Substitution Guide

    September 21, 2022 by thewineloverskitchen Leave a Comment

    Ever want to make a recipe and find it uses some kind of Speciality Flour? And all you have is All Purpose. Don't despair ... This Flour Substitution Guide will show you your options.

    Can I Substitute All Purpose Flour for Bread Flour?

    Yes. You can substitute All Purpose flour for Bread Flour on a one to one basis. Here is what will be different though.

    Bread flour has higher protein level: 12 - 14% vs all purpose at 8-11%. Bread flour will give you a higher rise.

    Bread Flour also produces more gluten which makes for a denser crumb.

    So substituting All Purpose for Bread flour will give you less rise and a lighter crumb. Substituting Bread flour for All Purpose will give you a denser, chewier final product.

    Can I Substitute All Purpose Flour for Whole Wheat Flour?

    Whole Wheat Flour has the highest protein level at about 13-14%. Tradition suggest that a 50/50 blend of all purpose and whole wheat flours will work seamlessly in most recipes. If you are totally substituting All purpose for Whole Wheat your dough will be wetter than if you had used the whole wheat. You will want to reduce the liquid by about 2 teaspoons per cup of flour used.

    Conversely if you are substituting whole wheat flour for all purpose you will want to add about two teaspoons of liquid per cup of whole wheat flour used.

    Can I Substitute All Purpose Flour for Cake Flour?

    Cake flour has less protein, 7-8% and is a finer grind than all purpose flour. It is also bleached using chlorination so fat adheres to it better and air bubbles are more evenly dispersed. All that adds up to a finer, lighter crumb in your baking.

    Cake flour is also lighter in weight than all purpose flour so if you are measuring by weight all purpose flour is about 12% heavier than cake flour.

    If you want to substitute all purpose flour for cake flour:

    • for each cup of cake flour take 1 cup of all purpose flour and replace 2 tablespoon of the all purpose flour with 2 Tbsps of corn starch.

    or

    If you want to substitute cake flour for all purpose flour:

    • for each cup of all purpose flour called for use 1 cup + 2 Tbsps of cake flour.

    Can I Substitute All Purpose Flour for Pastry Flour

    Pastry Flour is also on the lighter end of the protein scale at about 9 %. You can use Cake Flour since they are close. To substitute All Purpose flour use the same guidelines as for Cake Flour substitution.

    • for each cup of pastry  flour take 1 cup of all purpose flour and replace 2 tablespoon of the all purpose flour with 2 Tbsps of corn starch.

    or

    If you want to substitute pastry flour for all purpose flour:

    • for each cup of all purpose flour called for use 1 cup + 2 Tbsps of pastry flour

    Can I Substitute All Purpose Flour for Semolina

    Semolina Flour has a high protein level at about 13% so it is closer to Bread and Whole Wheat flours. They make the best substitute but you can use All Purpose on a 1:1 basis. If making pasta, semolina is the standard flour. If you substitute All Purpose your pasta will be softer and may not freeze or dry as well. Some pastries or crusts call for a small portion of semolina along with other flours to give it more structure. There is no problem to substitute another flour but your crust will be a little softer.

    More Tips

    • Close up of a juicy, tender grilled sirloing steak.
      How To Cook Sirloin Steak On The Grill
    • Bottle of Quinta Port with two glasses beside a charcuterie board with dates, apricots, blue cheese, chuntey and crackers.
      What is Port Wine and How Do I Serve It?
    • Close up of fresh strawberries in a basket with title 50 Summer Strawberry Recipes, From Drinks to Dessert.
      50 Summer Strawberry Recipes
    • Crispy rotisserie chicken with title 50 Rotisserie Chicken Recipes.
      Dozens of Shredded Rotisserie Chicken Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I am Carolyn - the Wine Lover in the Wine Lover's Kitchen! I absolutely love having friends and family around my table with great food and wine to enjoy. If you want great recipes and wine recommendations you have come to the right place!

    Learn more about me →

    Popular

    • Close up of creamy Cafe de Paris sauce.
      Café de Paris Sauce - The Original 'Secret Sauce'
    • Roses made from sweet potato slices, wrapped in bacon slices.
      Sweet Potato Roses
    • Salad with charred cherry tomatoes, charred peppers, mozzarella and basil on a platter.
      Charred Cherry Tomato and Pepper Salad
    • Rolled Tea Sandwiches on tiered tea plates.
      Rolled Tea Sandwiches

    Psst .... are you paying too much for wine? Sign up for Best Buy recommendations 2X per month.

    Footer

    ↑ Back to top

    Home

    Recipes Wine Tips 'N Tricks

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • About

    Newsletter

    Tired of wandering around looking at wine labels? Get recipes and my Best Buy wine picks every two weeks!

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact

    Follow me on:

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • X -Former Twitter

    Copyright © 2023 The Wine Lover's Kitchen