How to Make Cake Flour at Home

Baking can be a lot of fun, especially when you have the right ingredients for the recipe on hand. But what if you want to bake a cake and realise you don’t have any cake flour? Fear not! You can easily make cake flour at home with just two everyday kitchen ingredients.

Cake flour is a finely milled flour that creates a lighter, more tender cake. All-purpose flour can be substituted in a pinch, but if you want your cake to be extra light and fluffy, it’s worth making your own cake flour. It’s also much cheaper than buying cake flour at the store. So let’s get started and learn how to make cake flour at home.

How to Make Cake Flour: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction:

If you’re a baking enthusiast, you might have come across the term cake flour while browsing through recipes. Cake flour is a type of flour that is specifically used for making cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods that require a delicate texture and light crumb. Unlike all-purpose flour, cake flour has a lower protein content, resulting in a velvety and tender cake.

But what happens if you don’t have cake flour on hand, or it’s not available in your local grocery store? Fret not! In this ultimate guide, we will show you how to make cake flour at home with just two simple ingredients.

Subheading 1: The Science Behind Cake Flour

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s understand the science behind cake flour. Cake flour is made from soft wheat, which has a lower protein content than hard wheat used in all-purpose flour. The lower protein content results in less gluten formation when the flour is mixed with liquids, resulting in a tender cake.

Subheading 2: Ingredients to Make Cake Flour at Home

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are the only two ingredients you need to make cake flour at home. For every cup of cake flour, you’ll need one cup of all-purpose flour minus two tablespoons and two tablespoons of cornstarch.

Subheading 3: Equipment You’ll Need

To make cake flour at home, you’ll need a measuring cup, a large bowl, a sieve or flour sifter, and a whisk or fork to mix the flour and cornstarch.

Subheading 4: Measuring the Flour and Cornstarch

Start by measuring one cup of all-purpose flour and removing two tablespoons from it. Add two tablespoons of cornstarch to the measuring cup and whisk it together.

Subheading 5: Sifting the Flour

Sifting the flour and cornstarch mixture is crucial to ensure that the cake flour is light and airy. Place the sift over a large bowl and pour the flour mixture into it. Gently tap the sieve and use a spoon to help the flour pass through the mesh.

Subheading 6: Checking the Consistency

After sifting, check the consistency of the cake flour. It should feel light, airy, and powdery. If there are any clumps, sift the mixture again until it’s smooth.

Subheading 7: Storing Homemade Cake Flour

If you’re not using the cake flour immediately, store it in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. Homemade cake flour can last up to three months.

Subheading 8: How to Substitute Cake Flour

If you don’t have cake flour on hand and need to substitute it in a recipe, use the following ratio: For every cup of cake flour, use one cup of all-purpose flour minus two tablespoons and replace it with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Don’t forget to sift the mixture to ensure it’s light and airy.

Subheading 9: Recipes That Use Cake Flour

Now that you know how to make cake flour at home let’s take a look at some recipes that use cake flour. Some of the most popular ones include angel food cake, red velvet cake, and sponge cake.

Subheading 10: Final Thoughts

Making cake flour at home is easy, and it’s a great way to ensure that your cakes turn out perfectly every time. With just two simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can make your own cake flour and take your baking game to the next level. Give it a try, and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

What Flour to Use When Making Cake Flour

When making cake flour, it’s important to use the right type of flour. In general, all-purpose flour is the best option because it has a lower protein content than bread flour. However, if you want to get technical, you can also use a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour to achieve the right texture for your cake.

Using All-Purpose Flour for Cake Flour

When using all-purpose flour to make cake flour, you’ll need to remove some of the protein content to mimic store-bought cake flour. To do this, you’ll need to replace some of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch. You can use either one cup of all-purpose flour and remove two tablespoons from it and replace them with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix well and sift twice before using.

Using A Combination of Cake Flour and All-Purpose Flour

If you don’t want to use all-purpose flour to make cake flour, you can also use a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour. By doing so, you can maintain the light texture of cake flour with the added structure of all-purpose flour.

The Ratio to Use When Mixing Cake Flour and All-Purpose Flour

Mixing 1 cup of cake flour with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour yields a combination that is equal to one cup of cake flour. If you want to make more cake flour, simply multiply the measurements.

Adding Cornstarch to the Cake Flour and All-Purpose Flour Mixture

If you decide to use a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour, you’ll still need to include cornstarch to reduce the protein content. To achieve the desired cake flour texture, simply add two tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of the mixture. Mix well and sift twice before using.

The Pros and Cons of Using a Combination of Flours

Using a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour is a great option if you don’t want to use cornstarch. However, the downside to this method is that it may create a slightly different texture compared to pure cake flour. In general, it all boils down to how picky you are about the texture of your cake.

Store-Bought Vs. Homemade Cake Flour

While store-bought cake flour is readily available, making your own homemade version is easy, more affordable, and gives you the freedom to customize it to suit your needs. However, if you don’t have time or if you only bake cakes occasionally, using store-bought cake flour is perfectly fine.

The Benefits of Homemade Cake Flour

One of the greatest benefits of making homemade cake flour is that you can control the protein content and achieve the perfect texture for your specific cake recipe. Additionally, since it’s cheaper than buying store-bought cake flour, you can save money over time.

When to Use Store-Bought Cake Flour

Store-bought cake flour is a convenient option for those who bake cakes infrequently or if you’re in a rush. Plus, you can choose from a variety of brands and types. However, keep in mind that store-bought cake flours may not be as customizable as homemade cake flour, and you might not get the same results every time.

Conclusion

Overall, when making cake flour, understanding which flour to use and how to prepare it is key to achieving the right texture for your cake. Whether you prefer using all-purpose flour or a combination of flours, or opt for store-bought for the convenience, make sure to sift everything twice to achieve the perfect cake flour texture.

Step-by-Step Guide for Making Cake Flour at Home

Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, follow these simple steps to make cake flour at home:

1. Measure out the Required Amount of All-Purpose Flour

The first step is to measure out the required amount of all-purpose flour. The standard recipe for cake flour consists of 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. So, if you need to make 2 cups of cake flour, you will need 2 cups minus 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.

2. Measure out the Required Amount of Cornstarch

Next, measure out the required amount of cornstarch, which is 2 tablespoons per cup of flour. So, if you are making 2 cups of cake flour, you will need 4 tablespoons of cornstarch.

3. Sift the Flour and Cornstarch Together

Sift the all-purpose flour and cornstarch together using a fine-mesh sieve or a flour sifter. This will help to combine the ingredients evenly and aerate the mixture, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake.

4. Repeat the Process to Ensure it is Fully Combined

Repeat the sifting process at least two more times to ensure that the flour and cornstarch are fully combined. You can also add some dry ingredients like baking powder, cocoa powder, or salt at this point to evenly distribute them throughout the mixture.

5. Store the Cake Flour in an Airtight Container

Once your cake flour is ready, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. You can use it immediately or whenever a recipe calls for cake flour.

Making cake flour at home is a simple and cost-effective alternative to buying it from a store. By following the above steps, you can create the perfect cake flour for all your baking needs. You can experiment with different ratios of all-purpose flour and cornstarch to create a cake with the desired texture and crumb. Happy baking!

Happy Baking!

Now that you know how to make cake flour, it’s time to start baking! Remember, the key to a perfect cake is using the right ingredients and following the recipe carefully. Don’t be afraid to experiment and customize your cakes with different flavors and decorations. And if you ever need some inspiration or guidance, come back and check out our other baking articles. Thanks for reading and happy baking!