Wondering what a cake flour is? Nowadays cake flour is used to prepare cakes, cookies and pies. So why substitute all purpose flour with cake flour ? The major difference among the two flours is the amount of protein – cake flour has little less protein as compared to all purpose flour. This low protein content influences the gluten or elastic quality of the flour and makes cake flour a perfect ingredient used for baking. Store bought cake flour is made from soft wheat flour and is finely grounded. You can find cake flour in your nearby grocery stores or supermarket.
Now the question is why switch, isn’t protein good? Well… low protein in cakes adds texture and they turn out must softer and lighter. By removing 2 tablespoon of flour from 1 cup we are reducing the protein content and by adding cornstarch the flour becomes fine in texture and results in better cakes. Homemade cake flour has a permanent place in my pantry. To begin with you need –
INGREDIENTS –
1 cup all purpose flour
2 Tablespoon Cornstarch ( It adds tenderness to a cake and make it soft and silky)
METHOD –
1. Spoon out 1 cup of all purpose flour in a bowl. Remove 2 tablespoon of all purpose flour from the bowl and put it back in the jar.
2. Replace this 2 tablespoon of all purpose flour with 2 tablespoon of cornstarch and add it to the bowl.
3. Mix it well. Using a strainer sift this mixture well so that there are no lumps left.
4. Store it in an airtight container. Like all flours, cake flour can be stored upto 6 months in good airtight containers.
5. To make cake flour in bulk just double the ingredients. The ratio is 1:2. 1 parts of all purpose flour minus 2 tablespoon of all purpose flour and substitute with 2 parts of cornstarch.
6. When the recipe calls for cake flour just use this instead of all purpose flour.
I just love your receipes n want more of it
Thanks Komal! Good to hear that.. more to come 🙂
Are cornstarch and cornflour same…..thanx for the recipe….
Thanks Madhu! Cornstarch and corn flour are the same. No difference – depends on which country you are in. One reason for the confusion between cornstarch and corn flour is that-
In USA, it’s referred to as cornstarch and in the UK (and other countries)cornstarch is referred to as corn flour- Just another name for exactly the same thing.
To be sure, cornstarch is a very finely milled, smooth, white powder.
On the other hand if the packet says CORN FLOUR and the flour is coarse, like sand and is gritty, it’s corn meal a.k.a. Makkai ka atta – Not to be used for cakes.Hope that helps!!
Never knew basic recipes can be created at home. Thanks Ruchi!!
You are welcome Jyoti 🙂
Thanks for this recipes please can you tell me which cream I can use for eggless cake
Thanks for stopping by Lalli. It’s the store bought Heavy cream (in liquid form). Happy Cooking!!
Can I use 8 inch silver pan instead of loaf pan,
Yes, you can use a 8 inch pan.
Thanks is it heavy whip cream or is it bought at the Indian store? Thank you
It’s heavy whipped cream bought from local grocery store.
What is all purpose flour is it maida
Yes Manisha, it is maida.
Don’t need to add baking soda or baking powder when using this cake flour for making cake?
Thanks for stopping by Shar!! Please read the ingredients for the recipe that you are following, if it says baking soda and baking powder than that is required. Hope that answers your query!!
Hi
What is the difference between baking powder and baking soda?
Baking powder and baking soda are both leavening agents (raising agents) but they are chemically different. A simple difference will clear the confusion –
Baking soda – is actually Sodium bicarbonate or Bicarbonate of soda. It needs to be mixed with an acidic ingredient (like lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk or vinegar) to have a chemical reaction.
Baking Powder – contains baking soda. In fact, it is a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar, and cornstarch.
Hi Ruchi. I would like to make this cake at my home. I live in a very remote place where I can’t find heavy whipped cream in local stores here. Can I use malai from milk instead of the heavy cream? Would it suffice for the same quantity mentioned?
Thanks for stopping by Lasya! Have tried making homemade cream by collecting malai for few days, and later hand blended it until creamy and smooth. But have not experimented a recipe with homemade malai/cream. So can’t comment on the results, sorry about that.
Is cornstarch same as cornflour?
Yes. Cornstarch and corn flour are the same. No difference – depends on which country you are in. One reason for the confusion between cornstarch and corn flour is that-
In USA, it’s referred to as cornstarch and in the UK (and other countries)cornstarch is referred to as corn flour- Just another name for exactly the same thing.
To be sure, cornstarch is a very finely milled, smooth, white powder.
On the other hand if the packet says CORN FLOUR and the flour is coarse, and gritty, it’s corn meal a.k.a. Makkai ka atta – Not to be used for cakes.Hope that helps!!
Can cake flour be used in a recipe that calls for all purpose flour? Or would the other ingredients quantity be affected by it?
Remya, for all the baking recipe that call for all purpose flour add two additional tablespoons of cake flour. For example if a recipe calls for 2 cups for all purpose flour – use 2 cups of cake flour + 4 additional tablespoon of cake flour.
Thanks so much!
My pleasure. 🙂
HI Looking forward to trying out your eggless cupcake recipe. Can you please clarify what you mean by cream cheese??
Komal, cream cheese is a a soft cheese made from milk and cream. You can find this in your local grocery stores in the refrigerator section.
What brand of all purpose flour , baking powder , baking Soda and cocoa powder you use in your recipes .
You can use any brand, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure the ingredients are fresh and not stale.
FYI, I have used Pillsbury flour, Arm and hammer baking soda, Argo baking powder and Hershey’s cocoa powder.
Any difference between store bought cake flour n homemade cake flour
I didn’t find any difference.
They are both equally good.
Thanks . But can you clarify the cake flour confusion pls
Vandana, what’s your cake flour query?
To my notice, I have answered it all.
In your eggless orange cupcakes you mentioned 1.5 cups cake flour as additional 2tbsp of maida.
That was a typo.
Have fixed that.
Thanks!
In your homemade cake flour you have mentioned that take one cup of maida and remove 2tbsp and add 2tbsp of corn flour. And in your recipes notes you have mentioned take 1and 1/4 cup maida and add 2tbsp to that add 2tbsp of corn flour .
Vandana, I have tried it both ways – end result is the same.
Therefore, for 1.5 cup of Cake flour – use 1 and 1/4 cup of maida and 1/4 cup of cornstarch/cornflour.