When you run out of something, use these creative substitutions in cooking and baking in place of ingredients that you do not have. The following substitutions can be made in a pinch to approximate the same flavor and consistency in your recipes. For special diets, check out our healthy substitutions!

Cheese Cream cheese = cottage cheese blended smooth with butter or milk Romano = Parmesan Ricotta = cottage cheese

Eggs 1 Tbsp. soy flour and 1 Tbsp. water

Flour 1 cup sifted cake flour = 1 cup less 2 Tbsp. sifted all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. cornstarch = 2 Tbsp. flour for thickening sauces and gravies

Milk / Cream 1 cup milk = 1/3 cup dry milk plus 1 cup water or 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup; Let stand 5 minutes. 1 cup heavy cream or half and half = 7/8 cup whole milk plus 3 Tbsp. butter 1 cup light cream = 7/8 cup whole milk plus 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter 1 cup sour cream (for baking) = 1 cup plain yogurt 1 cup sour milk = 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup 1 cup whole milk = 1 cup skim milk plus 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine

Sugar 1 cup granulated sugar = 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar or 1 cup packed light brown sugar or 3/4 cup honey 1 cup powdered or confectioners sugar = 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup sugar plus 2 Tbsp. molasses

Miscellaneous 1 pkg. active dry yeast = 1 Tbsp. bulk yeast or 1/2 cake compressed yeast 1 tsp. baking powder = 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1 Tbsp. lemon juice = 1/2 Tbsp. vinegar 1 cup chopped apples = 1 cup chopped pears plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 cup dry bread crumbs = 3/4 cup cracker crumbs or 1 cup cornflake crumbs 1 cup butter = 1 cup margarine OR     7/8 cup vegetable oil 1 Tbsp. cornstarch = 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour 1 cup dark corn syrup = 3/4 cup light corn syrup plus 1/4 cup light molasses 1 chopped onion = 1 Tbsp. instant minced 1 clove garlic = 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1 cup tomato sauce = 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard = 1 tsp. dry mustard plus 1 Tbsp. water 1 tsp. dried herbs = 1 Tbsp. fresh herbs 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate = 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. butter, margarine or shortening