I have had a difficult time finding cake flour recently. I wanted to purchase a small bag to use for a picture in this post, but my local grocery store didn’t have any. I didn’t even see a place on the shelf for it.
If your recipe call for cake flour and you don’t have any in your cupboard,
Have no fear; the DIY version is here!
You can make just enough for your current recipe, or you can mix up a larger batch to have on hand when you need it. I’m going to give you the “recipe” for three different size batches: 1 cup. 4 cups, and 8 cups.
The instructions are the same for each recipe. You need a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, measuring cups, sifter, and a bowl. For the one cup recipe, you will also need a measuring spoon for one tablespoon.
When measuring the flour, make sure you spoon the flour into the measuring cup versus scooping the flour into the measuring cup. After you have filled the measuring cup, use a flat surface like the backside of a knife to level off the measuring cup of flour.
After measuring the flour and cornstarch, sift them together. This process should be repeated at least three times. I use a large strainer with small holes instead of a traditional sifter. I use a spoon or a whisk to stir things together and get the sifting process going. Notice the difference in the texture between the flour and corn starch mixture in the picture above and the picture of the completed cake flour below. I sifted this batch three times. Isn’t it beautiful?
Can you believe how simple this is? Now for the “recipes.”
1 CUP OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 1 cup of cake flour, begin with 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Remove 2 tablespoons of flour and replace the flour with 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
4 CUPS OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 4 cups of cake flour, you need 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup corn starch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
8 CUPS OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 8 cups of cake flour, you need 7 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of cornstarch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
There you have it! As long as you have flour and cornstarch on hand you will never again have to make a trip to the store for cake flour.