| Emergency Ingredient
Substitutions
Apple
pie spice, 1 tsp.
Substitute: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon plus 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp. ground allspice, and dash ground cloves or ginger Baking
powder, 1 tsp.
Buttermilk,
1 cup
Substitute: Sour Milk: 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup. (Let stand 5 minutes before using.) Or, 1 cup plain yogurt
Chocolate,
semisweet, 1 ounce
Substitute: 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate pieces. Or, 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar
Chocolate,
sweet baking, 4 ounces
Substitute: 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons shortening
Chocolate,
unsweetened, 1 ounce
Substitute: 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon cooking oil or shortening, melted
Cornstarch,
1 tablespoon (for thickening)
Substitute: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Corn
syrup, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup water
Egg,
1 whole
Substitute: 2 egg whites. Or, 2 egg yolks. Or, 1/4 cup frozen egg product, thawed
Flour,
cake, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Flour,
self-rising, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. baking soda
Fruit
liqueur, 1 tablespoon
Substitute: 1 tablespoon fruit juice
Gingerroot,
grated, 1 tsp.
Substitute: 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Half-and-half
or light cream, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 tablespoon melted butter plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup
Honey,
1 cup
Substitute: 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup water
Mascarpone
cheese, 8 ounces
Substitute: 8 ounces regular cream cheese
Milk,
1 cup
Substitute: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water. Or 1 cup water plus 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
Molasses,
1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup honey
Sour
cream, dairy, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup plain yogurt
Sugar,
granulated, 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup packed brown sugar
Spice and Herb Substitutions
Whether you're making an emergency substitution or experimenting with a new flavor, follow these suggestions for spice alternatives. As a general rule, start with half of the amount the recipe calls for (unless directed otherwise), and add the spice until it suits your taste.
Allspice:
Cinnamon; dash nutmeg; or dash cloves
Aniseed:
Fennel seed or a few drops anise extract
Cardamom:
Ginger
Chili
powder: Dash bottled hot pepper sauce plus a combination of
oregano and cumin
Cinnamon:
Nutmeg or allspice (use only 1/4 of the amount)
Cloves:
Allspice; cinnamon; or nutmeg
Cumin: Chili
powder
Ginger:
Allspice; cinnamon; mace; or nutmeg
Mace: Allspice;
cinnamon; ginger; or nutmeg
Nutmeg:
Cinnamon; ginger; or mace
Saffron:
Dash turmeric (for color)
Basil:
Oregano or thyme
Chervil:
Tarragon or parsley
Chive:
Green onion; onion; or leek
Cilantro:
Parsley
Italian
seasoning: Blend of any of these: basil, oregano, rosemary, and
ground red pepper
Marjoram:
Basil; thyme; or savory
Mint:
Basil; marjoram; or rosemary
Oregano:
Thyme or basil
Parsley:
Chervil or cilantro
Poultry
seasoning: Sage plus a blend of any of these: thyme, marjoram,
savory, black pepper, and rosemary
Red
pepper: Dash bottled hot pepper sauce or black pepper
Rosemary:
Thyme; tarragon; or savory
Sage:
Poultry seasoning; savory; marjoram; or rosemary
Savory:
Thyme; marjoram; or sage
Tarragon:
Chervil; dash fennel seed; or dash aniseed
Thyme:
Basil; marjoram; oregano; or savory
|