Cake flour is a key ingredient for light, tender, and fluffy cakes. But if, like me, you don’t bake homemade cakes super frequently, this cake flour substitute can save you time, energy, and money. There’s no need to buy a 5-pound bag that will inevitably go rancid when you can whip it up as you need it. And it’s so easy, too, with just 2 pantry staple ingredients.

small bowl of cake flour at the center, with an almost-empty mixing bowl almost out of frame

Cake Flour Recipe

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time finding cake flour at my local grocery store when I do need it. However, I’ve discovered that it’s actually super easy to make a cake flour substitute right at home. This easy baking hack has saved me so much time and effort, and it’s improved my cake baking significantly. All I needed was regular all-purpose flour and cornstarch.

hand holding a measuring cup of cornstarch above a bowl of flour

How to Store

Stored in an airtight container, this cake flour substitute will keep in your pantry (dark, dry, cool spot) for up to 1 year. You can store it in the refrigerator if you prefer.

Tips for Success

The recipe makes a 2-cup serving. If you’d like to have more, you can double or triple the ingredients.
Make sure your cornstarch is fresh.
Use the spoon-and-level method when measuring baking ingredients. This ensures you get the right ratio, although using a kitchen scale will give you the most accurate results.
Be sure to mix the ingredients well and sift the mixture before storing.