Substitute for Cake flour
Out of cake flour mid-recipe? Here is the exact swap, measured — not "about a cup of something similar" — plus every alternative that genuinely works.
For 1 cup of cake flour
⅞ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch
Sift together twice so the cornstarch disperses fully.
Data & method: Ratios follow standard US test-kitchen practice (King Arthur Baking's ingredient guides are the primary cross-check). Every number is checked by an automated test against its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
All-purpose flour + cornstarch, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of cake flour | 0.22 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp cornstarch |
| ½ cup of cake flour | 0.44 cup all-purpose flour + 1 tbsp cornstarch |
| ¾ cup of cake flour | ⅔ cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tbsp cornstarch |
| 1 cup of cake flour | ⅞ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch |
| 1½ cup of cake flour | 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour + 3 tbsp cornstarch |
| 2 cup of cake flour | 1¾ cups all-purpose flour + 4 tbsp cornstarch |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap All-purpose flour + cornstarch
⅞ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch
Sift together twice so the cornstarch disperses fully.
Other swaps bakers look for
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of cake flour?
The best swap for 1 cup of cake flour is ⅞ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch — sift together twice so the cornstarch disperses fully.
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of cake flour?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".