The Originators of Quick & Easy Cooking!
Substitutions Save the Day
It's happened to most of us -- we've started making a recipe only to find that we're missing or low on an ingredient. Well, the next time that happens, you'll be prepared with these helpers:
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Baking powder, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
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Broth (chicken or beef), 1 cup = 1 bouillon cube plus 1 cup water
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Buttermilk, 1 cup = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
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Chocolate, unsweetened, 1 square (1 ounce) = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon shortening or vegetable cooking oil
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Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon = 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
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Corn syrup, light, 1 cup = 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water
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Cream or half-and-half, 1 cup = 1-1/2 tablespoons melted butter + enough whole milk to equal 1 cup OR 1/2 cup light cream + 1/2 cup whole milk
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Flour, all-purpose, 1 cup = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cake flour
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Flour, self-rising, 1 cup = 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt
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Garlic, 1 clove (1/2 teaspoon chopped) = 1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic OR 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
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Gravy = Similar flavor of ready-made soup
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Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon = 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
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Mayonnaise = Creamy salad dressing
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Milk, whole, 1 cup = 1 cup skim milk + 2 tablespoons butter OR 1/2 cup evaporated whole milk + 1/2 cup water
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Mustard, dry (in cooking), 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- Sour cream, 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice + enough evaporated or plain milk to equal 1 cup
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Tomato juice, 1 cup = 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
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Vegetable oil (for cooking), 1 cup = 1/2 pound butter or margarine
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Vinegar, 1 tablespoon = 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Wine, 1 cup = 1 cup apple juice or cider, chicken or beef broth
Now, if you don't have the exact ingredient called for in a recipe you're making, you'll be able to make a quick substitution that'll still have everybody saying... "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"

cdburko
Aug 19, 2012
What can you use as a substitute for heavy cream?
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Test Kitchen Team
Aug 20, 2012
If you do not have heavy cream handy, try this; add 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled to 3/4 cup whole milk. Thank you and enjoy!
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bsamont2 8476065
Oct 12, 2011
Mr. Food, Thank you for all of these subsititions. I'm sure it will be one of my most used sheets of paper. Just do not want to forget what I've placed it. That's a HUGE problem with me! Carolyn
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