We all have those baking days where a crucial ingredient is mysteriously missing, right? It can be tempting to rush out to the store, but before you do, why not see if you can whip up a homemade version of that ingredient instead?
The prospect of creating your own baking staples might catch you off guard, but think about the ease of using pantry items you already have. Plus, you could clear out those forgotten ingredients tucked away in the back. Continue reading for our collection of simple substitution recipes to tackle those baking hurdles.
Baking Ingredient Recipes
Below are recipes for nine essential baking ingredients. A few even offer vegan alternatives!
- Brown Sugar
- Powdered Sugar
- Cake Flour
- Baking Powder
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Vegan Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Evaporated Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Buttermilk
First up, let’s talk about brown sugar …
1. Brown Sugar
If you’ve run out of brown sugar, don’t fret—making your own is surprisingly easy.
Gemma Stafford, a renowned cookbook author and chef from Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking, shares that all you need to do is combine white sugar with molasses. She offers step-by-step guidance for crafting both light and dark brown sugar—check out her tips!
2. Powdered Sugar
Crumbling for powdered sugar? Good news! You can easily make it from granulated sugar and a dash of corn starch.
Jeanine Donofrio provides a straightforward guide on her site, Love and Lemons. The only tool you’ll need is a high-speed blender or food processor. Don’t miss her compilation of delightful recipes that include powdered sugar!
3. Cake Flour
Don’t have cake flour? You’re not alone. Thankfully, whipping up your own is a cinch with just regular flour and corn starch.
Visit Joy Wilson of Joy the Baker for a simple tutorial on creating cake flour at home.
4. Baking Powder
Baking powder is a crucial component that can transform your batter into a fluffy masterpiece. If you find yourself without it, making a substitute is quite manageable with just a few basic ingredients.
Kim Kelly offers a useful baking powder recipe, breaking down the science behind it. Gather baking soda, corn starch, and cream of tartar to get started!
5. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Running low on a specific spice? It’s often frustrating to lack a key ingredient, yet you might already possess what you need to mix a homemade version.
Check out My Baking Addiction, where Jamie offers a straightforward blend of spices for pumpkin pie spice using cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and more.
6. Vegan Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk might not be a kitchen staple for most, but its absence can be a challenge when a recipe calls for it.
Visit Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen, where Karissa has devised a simple method to concoct vegan sweetened condensed milk with just coconut milk and cane sugar (or any sweetener of your choice).
7. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is not something many of us keep on hand. However, the good news is making it at home is not overly complicated if you have the right ingredients!
Head over to Mary’s Nest, where you’ll learn how to create your own evaporated milk.
8. Vanilla Extract
If you find yourself out of vanilla extract, your baking might be at a standstill. While you could consider other flavor extracts, making your own vanilla extract is actually possible and can save you money in the long run!
Check out Heather Poire’s blog, Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes, for her easy step-by-step guide using whole vanilla bean pods, vodka, and jars for storage.
9. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is versatile, offering various substitution options, though they may not replicate the exact flavor. Nonetheless, they can be helpful.
Visit Joy the Baker, where Joy Wilson provides several quick ways to substitute buttermilk, including a non-dairy alternative using almond milk. Don’t overlook her delicious buttermilk recipes as well!
Feature image credit to Charisse Kenion on Unsplash.
Editor’s note: This article was initially published on July 16, 2013, and was updated in October 2025.
