Not every cake is a delicate flower. Some recipes need the structure of all-purpose flour. If you’re making a sturdy pound cake or a dense banana bread, skip the substitution.
Why? Because those recipes rely on gluten to hold up heavy fruit or nuts. Using cake flour there would make them crumble like a graham cracker. You’ll end up with a delicious, sad pile of crumbs.
Also, don’t try this for bread. Bread needs all the gluten it can get. If you add cornstarch to bread flour, you’ll get a flat, sad loaf that tastes like a pillow.
The Quirky Details
Did you know that cake flour is often bleached? That bleaching process weakens the proteins even more. Your DIY version won’t be bleached, so your cake might be slightly less white.
But hey, you’re not a show dog. You’re a home baker. A slightly off-white cake is rustic. It’s charming.
Another fun fact: Cornstarch is also used to make silky custards and glossy sauces. You’re basically borrowing its velvet powers for your cake. It’s a multi-talented pantry hero.
Cake Flour Substitute - Preppy Kitchen