pantry substitutes that actually work

for when you're already in your apron and out of buttermilk. ratios that hold up, plus which ones you can just eyeball

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Buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar (or lemon juice), let sit 5 min

actually matters here, it's the one people ask me about the most. for a marinade just use plain milk, doesn't matter there

Egg (baking, per egg) = 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, sit 5 min

only really needed for vegan baking to bind things. for regular cookies just leave the egg out, trust the process

Cake flour = 1 cup AP flour, remove 2 tbsp, add 2 tbsp cornstarch

sift it twice or you get streaks. worth doing for a delicate cake, skip it for cookies entirely

self-rising flour = 1 cup AP flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt

Brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses, mash with a fork

dark or light molasses, doesn't matter which one's already open

Heavy cream, cooking only (won't whip) = ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup melted butter

Sour cream = full-fat plain yogurt, 1:1

genuinely cannot tell the difference in a dip

cornstarch as a thickener = 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch

whisk it into cold liquid first either way or you'll get lumps

Fresh herbs to dried = 1 tbsp fresh becomes 1 tsp dried

add the dried ones earlier, they need the time to bloom

Shallot = a small onion plus a sliver of garlic

Dry white wine, savory cooking = chicken broth with a splash of white vinegar

Mayo in baking (not sandwiches) = plain yogurt or sour cream, same amount

this one suprised me, a friend's carrot cake recipe calls for mayo and it's just fat and eggs anyway

Molasses = dark corn syrup, or maple syrup if that's what's open

flavor shifts a little. fine in gingerbread, more noticeable in bbq sauce

Breadcrumbs = crushed saltines or panko, whatever's in the pantry

Ricotta = cottage cheese, blitzed smooth in a blender

lasagna does not know the difference, texture's identical once it bakes

Worcestershire = soy sauce + a splash of vinegar + a pinch of sugar

not perfect but it saves a dish when you're out at 7pm

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