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Hi Bold Bakers!
In this Bold Baking Basic, I’m going to show you how to make cake flour at home. You will get the same result as store-bought with DIY Cake Flour, and you can make it just as you need it. All you need is some all-purpose flour and cornflour, that’s it! Cake Flour is used in cake making to yield you lovely soft cakes. I actually had never heard of Cake Flour until I moved to the US. I didn’t know it was a type of flour, and I sure didn’t know you could make your own.
Working as a professional chef, I have learned a lot of tips and tricks over the years. Now I’m going to show you some Bold Baking Basics that will equip you with the tools and skills to be able to tackle any baking question in the kitchen.
How to make your own flour is important, because every country sells different products. Did you know you can also make your own Buttermilk and Homemade Extracts?
What is Cake Flour?
Great question! This is a finely milled, very low protein flour, usually 8-10%, that is used primarily for cakes because it produces less gluten and results in a tender, fluffy crumb. It’s most commonly seen in American recipes.
It is very easy to make at home by mixing cornstarch with all-purpose flour (see below).
[ Looking for a Gluten Free Flour? Make your own Gluten Free Flours with my recipes! ]
Why use cake flour instead of regular flour?
Because it contains less gluten, it produces a very soft, fluffy crumb. You know when you buy a cake at the store and it’s incredibly soft and you wonder why? One of the reasons is they used cake flour.
When to use cake four?
You probably guessed it, but you use it in CAKES, like my Vanilla Birthday Cake and much more. If you want to use cake flour instead of regular all purpose flour in a cake you can easily sub one for the other 1:1.
Can I use plain flour instead of cake flour?
Yes! You absolutely can. There is no down side to making this substitute. The only difference might not be AS soft and tender but it will still be really good.
Does cake flour have baking powder in it?
No it doesn’t. Cake flour doesn’t contain any raising agents. So when using it, you will need to use baking baking powder or baking soda into your cake. When making your own homemade cake flour just note that cornstarch is not a raising agent. It’s what is used to soften your flour and cake.
For more Bold Baking Basics like DIY Condensed Milk, the Best-Ever Buttercream Frosting, and much much more click here.
Get More Basics Recipes!
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Watch The Recipe Video!
How to Make Cake Flour
Ingredients
- 1 Cup ( 5oz/142g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch) (cornstarch)
Instructions
- Remove 2 tablespoons from one level cup of all-purpose flour, then add 2 tablespoons of corn flour back in.
- Sift well together before using.
- Label an airtight container with the name and date so you remember what it is and when you made it. Use within 8 weeks.
Put the 2 T. of cornstarch in the measuring cup FIRSTt, top off with the regular flour, level it. Put it in bowl whisk together. Takes away the removing of the flour from the cup to add the Cornstarch. I’m a wee bit lazy you see. ????????
Corn flour and corn starch are to different things, which is it? Because in your video you mention both.
Hi, Gemma, love your recipes.
I live in Australia and because the USA and UK have different names for the same thing, so confusing.
I was wondering if ‘all purpose’ flour is plain flour or self raising flour, this has stopped me making some recipes as I don’t know!? Also thank you for your ‘cake flour’ recipe I will use that!!
Kind Regards
Sonya. ????
can i use the cake flour immediately after sifting.
Hi Gemma I’m making a cake. And the recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of cake flour. I already know how to make cake flour but I don’t know how many tablespoons of cornstarch I need to add for 1 1/2 cups of flour.And by the way I have been posting this comment on your recipe website several times (all day) but it is not showing up and the number stays at 164 and I refresh the tab and it stays the same. Thanks Gemma ????????
Can you use self rising flour and add cornstarch to it will it have the same consistency
If we have to make half cup of cake flour what would be the ratio of ingredients?
Hello Gemma!
Can you substitute all-purpose flour for say almond flour in this same cake flour recipe?
I use 7 cups of flour and 1 cup of cornstarch when I make cake flour, that way I have some to use later and don’t have to make it every time a recipe calls for it.
Hello Gemma!
Thank you for this amazing tip! ????
Can I use CAKE FLOUR in all your Cakes and Cupcakes recipes?