The Substitute

Did you ever have one of those days where you just don't seem to have what you need?  Or what you thought was an unopened box of, say baking powder, turned out to be a vacation getaway spot for some bugs? I know that we all, at one point or another, have feared the idea of substituting ingredients while baking (much like Mrs. Henderson feared being called in to sub during the last week of school).  One wrong move and your breads will taste bitter, your loaves will fall flat and your scones will end up as door stops.
Well, be afraid no more!  I found myself this morning running out of a few odds and ends.  Although it's best to not have to substitute, life just doesn't work that way sometimes.  Here are a few common ways to substitute for certain ingredients.

For 1 cup of Buttermilk:  Take 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and place in cup measure.  Add enough milk to make 1 cup.  Let it stand for a few minutes and voila!  A thicker, sour treat to add some punch.

For 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder:  Use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar.  OR you can try 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk.  (Just remember to reduce the amount of liquid in the original recipe by 1/2 cup or else you will end up with a soggy mess.)

For 1 cup of Corn Syrup: (I will admit....I am not a huge fan of corn syrup, but sometimes you just have to use it.  I don't usually have it on hand, so this works quite well in place of the real thing)  Take 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar and mix in 1/4 of liquid (whatever is called for in the recipe).

Yeast:  Some recipes seem to go between one packet, one cube, one spoon, blah blah blah....  Here is an easy way to look at that.  1 packet of yeast is equal to: 1/4 ounce of dry yeast OR a bit less than 1 Tablespoon of dry yeast OR one cake of fresh yeast (which is .06 ounces).

So there you have it.....a few simple ways to keep making the magic in the event of what could have been a disaster.

Just one thing though....please don't throw paper airplanes at these substitutes.  And try not to stick anything on their backs.  Play nice and they will in turn be kind to you.