topic Re: Cake flour? in Kitchen

Cake flour?

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 11:26:00 GMT

I got an old recipe from an elderly neighbor for "Daffodil Cake". It was handed down to her and she thought that I would like it since she thinks I am a 'good baker'. She made me promise to make it for her since she can't get around that good anymore.(I always give her a pie or cookies when I bake something)

Anyway, I have never made anything using "cake flour" and that is the main ingredient. I went to 2 supermarkets and a Super Walmart and I didn't see any.

What is it? Where do you buy it and can I substitute all purpose flour?

I feel really dumb telling her I never used it.....

Re: Cake flour?

Jessa9 — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 11:33:54 GMT

Nataliesgramma, the cake flour comes in a box and I usually get it at the grocery store or Target. If you just have the all purpose flour. Measure a level cup and take 2 tablespoons out. Measure sifted cornstarch (2 tablespoons) and add it to the cup of flour. I hope this helps.

Re: Cake flour?

nomless — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:07:26 GMT

@Nataliesgramma, I'm surprised you're having trouble finding it. It's a common staple. All the groceries around here stock it. I wonder if you're looking in the right place. It comes in a box, not a bag, and it might be located either with the other types of four or closer to the cake mixes. If you can't find it, ask a store worker for help. It's probably there...somewhere.

If you can't find the cake flour, make the substitute Jessa suggested. Sift it several times before using to be sure the cornstarch is evenly distributed.

Using all purpose flour in place of the cake flour would change the texture and density that's intended for the cake. If you want to stay true to the recipe, don't use ap flour.

Your neighbor will enjoy the cake. Let us know how it turns out.

Re: Cake flour?

KentuckyWoman — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 16:14:38 GMT

I have a lot of old cake recipes from my mother. Almost all of them call for cake flour. Swans Down cake flour comes in a box and is readily available in my area. I can find it at Kroger, Walmart or the local grocery down the street. It makes a huge difference when baking cakes. The texture is perfection.

Re: Cake flour?

jaxs mom — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:53:25 GMT

I've seen cake flour at Walmart so I'm not sure why yours wouldn't have it. I've used Swans Down brand and King Arthur brand cake flour.

Re: Cake flour?

KatieB — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:00:47 GMT

Look for Swans Down Cake Flour. It should be near the flours in your grocery store...

Re: Cake flour?

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:48:23 GMT

@jessa wrote:
Nataliesgramma, the cake flour comes in a box and I usually get it at the grocery store or Target. If you just have the all purpose flour. Measure a level cup and take 2 tablespoons out. Measure sifted cornstarch (2 tablespoons) and add it to the cup of flour. I hope this helps.

I'll try Target........maybe my Super Walmart was just out of it...

Thanks everyone!!

Re: Cake flour?

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:51:14 GMT

@nomless wrote:
@Nataliesgramma, I'm surprised you're having trouble finding it. It's a common staple. All the groceries around here stock it. I wonder if you're looking in the right place. It comes in a box, not a bag, and it might be located either with the other types of four or closer to the cake mixes. If you can't find it, ask a store worker for help. It's probably there...somewhere.

If you can't find the cake flour, make the substitute Jessa suggested. Sift it several times before using to be sure the cornstarch is evenly distributed.

Using all purpose flour in place of the cake flour would change the texture and density that's intended for the cake. If you want to stay true to the recipe, don't use ap flour.

Your neighbor will enjoy the cake. Let us know how it turns out.

I bet it was by the cake mixes at Walmart. I looked real good around the flour and it wasn't there.... When I asked an associate about where to find cake flour......she looked at me like a deer in headlights....LOL

Re: Cake flour?

SharkE — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 16:26:07 GMT

I go along with #'s 4 and 6. Makes a BIG difference in quality of cake and good idea showing the pic. I take for granted that we're all established , experienced bakers in here till I see some threads and realize there's some really young people in here.

Re: Cake flour?

PamelaSue72 — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 17:19:37 GMT

That's pretty typical for WalMart. When I shopped there, if I needed something and asked somebody, s/he always had that look. They had no clue.

If you can't find Swans Down cake flour, look for Softasilk Cake Flour; it's made by Pillsbury and you might have better luck finding that. None of our stores around here carry Swans Down, but they do carry Softasilk. In our Giant store, the Softasilk is with the other flours. It comes in a box.

Re: Cake flour?

Nightowlz — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 17:26:50 GMT

how to make cake flour - Google Search

Directions

Measure out the amount needed for your recipe. ...
For every 1 cup of flour remove 2 Tbsp of flour.
Now add 2 Tbsp of Cornstarch for every 1 cup of flour. ...
Sift 5-6 times and it's ready-to-use cake flour.

www.food.com/recipe/how-to-make-cake-flour-424532

Re: Cake flour?

Jessa9 — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 18:54:43 GMT

I always use the cake flour when it calls for it. It is very silky in texture.

Re: Cake flour?

ECBG — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 19:18:17 GMT

I've gotten some awesome cake recipes off of those boxes!

Re: Cake flour?

scotnovel — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:50:50 GMT

@SharkE wrote:
I go along with #'s 4 and 6. Makes a BIG difference in quality of cake and good idea showing the pic. I take for granted that we're all established , experienced bakers in here till I see some threads and realize there's some really young people in here.

I have two friends in their mid 60's who have never made a cake from scratch or made their own pie crust. When I was 20, I had been baking for about 10 years having made my first loaf of yeast bread and first pie from scratch when I was 10, both for a 4H project.

Just because someone is older doesn't mean they are an established baker or that a young person isn't.

Re: Cake flour?

jaxs mom — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:28:01 GMT

@scotnovel wrote:
@SharkE wrote:
I go along with #'s 4 and 6. Makes a BIG difference in quality of cake and good idea showing the pic. I take for granted that we're all established , experienced bakers in here till I see some threads and realize there's some really young people in here.
I have two friends in their mid 60's who have never made a cake from scratch or made thier own pie crust. When I was 20, I had been baking for about 10 years having made my first loaf of yeast bread and first pie from scratch when I was 10, both for a 4H project.

Just because someone is older doesn't mean they are an established baker or that a young person isn't.

Exactly, age has nothing to do with it. I was baking all kinds of things from elementary school on.

Re: Cake flour?

lovemybichonfrise — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 23:20:19 GMT

I have used Softasilk and King Arthur cake flours in the past. Softasilk would be easier to find in a grocery store whereas King Arthur (if they don't carry it) has to be ordered from their web site. Here's a link to explain the difference between all-purpose flour and cake flour.

http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-all-purpose-flour-and-cake-flour/

Re: Cake flour?

RespectLife — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 23:29:34 GMT

I have been able to find Softasilk at Walmart and Wegmans.

when I first heard of it years ago, I was stumped since I wasn't expecting it to be in a box.

Doesn't all flour come in a bag???? Lol

Live and learn!

I'd try finding it in a full grocery store, not a regular Walmart or Target. Only in supersize stores.

Look for a box!

Let us know how you like the cake recipe she shared!

Re: Cake flour?

insomniac2 — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 08:51:58 GMT

I've always followed the method (recommended by Betty Crocker) of just removing 2 tablespoons from each cup of regular flour. That's it.

The cornstarch step I've never heard of, much less the sifting.

Re: Cake flour?

Nataliesgramma — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 09:42:59 GMT

I guess I never heard of it before because we don't eat alot of cake here. I make bread, rolls, pies,muffins and cookies....LOL

Re: Cake flour?

ID2 — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:10:00 GMT

I always see cake flour whenever I'm shopping for regular flour. Its right next to the regular.