How to Make Cake Flour
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Making your own cake flour is incredibly easy! You only need two simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry! I'm going to show you how to make cake flour in this post so you never have to worry about running out again.
If you like making your own homemade ingredients, be sure to check out some of my other baking staples that I make all the time, like my Homemade Dark Brown Sugar, How to Make Light Brown Sugar, or How to Make Self Rising Flour.
Table of Contents
What is cake flour?
Cake flour is a finely milled, low-protein flour specifically designed for baking delicate, tender cakes and pastries. With a protein content of around 7 to 9%, significantly lower than all purpose flour, it produces less gluten when mixed, resulting in a lighter, softer texture in baked goods. The finely ground particles also absorb more liquid and sugar, enhancing the moistness and structure of cakes.
How does homemade cake flour work?
By removing some of the all purpose flour and adding a binding agent, such as cornstarch, we are lowing the gluten formation and therefore the protein content in the flour. And, it will act and work just like cake flour in recipes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
2 Ingredients: You will love this recipe for homemade Cake Flour as it only requires two simple ingredients. Never run out of again, because you can easily make your own whenever you need it!
Organic: With this homemade Cake Flour recipe, you can make a 100% organic option! Learn how to make cake flour so you can enjoy cakes with completely organic cake flour!
Use in Cakes: You can use this homemade cake flour in any recipe that calls for it. Once you understand how it is it is to make your own homemade cake flour you will never have to buy it again!
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour: My favorite is Cairnspring Mills!
- Cornstarch: I use organic cornstarch.
Tools Needed
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Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl (I do this in my flour tub actually!), add the flour and cornstarch and whisk together.
Step 2
Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months. Use this in place of cake flour in any recipe.
FAQ's
Cake flour is a very fine flour that is milled to have a protein content of 7% to 9%. The lower protein content in cake flour makes for less gluten formation, and this provides a fluffier and lighter baked good. Hence, why it is used all the time for cake. Because cake should be light and tender, cake flour is used to achieve this perfectly delicate crumb.
Most layer cakes call for cake flour to achieve that light and tender crumb. But, some cakes, depending on the other ingredients inside the cake, are best when made with all purpose flour. My Orange Carrot Ginger Cake for example, uses all purpose flour. This is because the cake is very moist with the addition of the carrots. So, it actually requires all purpose flour to hold it together. This is why you will typically see all purpose flour in cakes like carrot, zucchini, banana or others that use fruits and veggies. Using the right kind of flour that a recipe calls for is crucial to have success, as flour makes a big difference in the texture and structure of your final baked goods.
While cake flour typically has 7% to 9% protein, all purpose flour has 10% to 12% protein. So, all purpose flour has more gluten formation, because of the higher protein content. This is great for baked goods like brownies and cookies where you want that gluten formation to create a chewy baked good that holds together well. But, cakes need less gluten formation in order to develop that tender and light crumb.
Homemade cake flour will last in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months.
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How to Make Cake Flour
Equipment
Ingredients
- 248 grams all purpose flour
- 28 grams cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large bowl (I do this in my flour tub actually!), add the flour and cornstarch and whisk together.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months. Use this in place of cake flour in any recipe.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Thank you for this beautiful post I tried making it today and have stored it for further use. Today I have learned a new skill all because of you.
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