For an updated version of this method, click here.
Cake flour. Let’s face facts: I never have cake flour on hand when I need it. Luckily, there’s a super easy way to turn good old all-purpose flour into cake flour, lightening your cake crumb, making it super soft and delicious. Maybe you already know this trick. It’s a good one.
Here’s a step by step. From me to you!
How to Turn All-Purpose Flour into Cake Flour
Step One: Measure out the all-purpose flour that you’ll need for your recipe.
Step Two: For every cup of flour you use, take out two tablespoons of flour and return it to the flour bin. Throw the cup of flour (minus the two tablespoons) into a sifter set over a bowl.
Step Three: Replace the two tablespoons of flour that your removed with two tablespoons of cornstarch.
Step Four: Sift the flour and cornstarch together. Sift it again, and again and again. The cornstarch and flour need to be well incorporated and the flour aerated. Sift the flour and cornstarch mixture about five times. Look at that! You just made cake flour!
mrsmichellegoldsmith
Like most others, I never have special purpose flours to hand, so this is a game-changer — cheers!
Carol
No one has mentioned this, but does cake flour give you less crumb? I want to make a molded bunny cake but I don’t want it falling to pieces when I cut into it.
joythebaker
Yes, it cake flour could work. Good luck on the bunny cake!
Kurikulum 2013
I get a lot of inspiration from reading the article on your website, thank you for sharing
Sanjukta
Can cornflour be used instead of corn starch?
joythebaker
They’re different things. You’ll need cornstarch.
John S
When scrolling thru the comments, it takes forever to get to the newest ones. Is there an easier way…?
John S
Great tip. I do a similar method. (APF= all purpose flour)
Cake flour: 2 T corn or potato starch into measuring cup, then fill with APF. Then, sieve 3 times.
Bread flour: 1 tsp vital wheat gluten and fill with APF.
Self-rising: Cake flour + 1/2 tsp salt + 1 T baking powder
Bisquick: Self-rising + 1 T shortening (mix well)
Baking powder: 1 part baking soda + 2 parts cream of tartar + 1 part corn or potato starch (mix well).
Forestwoodfolkart
I don’t think I have ever seen corn starch available in my supermarkets. Would Cornflour be similar? Or arrowroot? Could I substitute with that?
John S
Hi:
Cornstarch is called cornflour in some countries.
Erlinda T. Anthony
Linda Anthony: Equivalent to make all purpose flour to cake flour the easy way with its equivalent: 7 cups of all purpose flour, use 1 cup of corn starch, the do the sifting. You can now have an easy way or the clean way of making it. If ever you need to make your recipe easier let me know. I will do it for you please reply. We bake a lot in the Greek Orthodox Church in Brockton,MA that’s where I learned ho to bake.
Daisy
Would whole wheat flour work ok? Thanks:)
joythebaker
Yes, but it will not be as light as cake flour