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It might be that you only have cake flour in your pantry, or you might be wanting to experiment with some different baking techniques and are wondering if you can use cake flour for cookies.
Using cake flour in cookies is done commonly, but you should read this guide on how and when to use it to make sure that you know what cake flour is, how to make your own cake flour if you don’t have any, and what cake flour does to cookies.
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The definition of cake flour
Let’s talk about what cake flour actually is, because it can be confusing when there are different types of flour and you have no idea which is which.
Many recipes will call for all-purpose flour.
But if you have cake flour on-hand, you should know that it is a “low protein” flour.
Flours are differentiated by the amount of protein in them, with all-purpose flour usually having about 10-12% protein.
Cake flour has about 7-9% protein.
But what does this actually mean.
Essentially, it means that there is less gluten that is formed as you mix the cookie dough, and the final cookie result is going to be a more delicate and fluffy consistency (much more like cake!)
Is it possible to use cake flour for cookies?
Sure, there is no problem if you use cake flour in your cookie dough and nothing bad will happen.
It will change the texture slightly to a lighter and fluffier texture, but that it is.
So go ahead!
Reasons for using cake flour in cookies
Some people actually choose to use cake flour in cookies to make their cookies more delicate and more tender.
If you’re trying to make your cookies deliciously soft, cake flour can help them as they will be less dense and less chewy.
If you do prefer a chewy cookie, stick to all-purpose flour.
If you don’t want to do it on purpose, but only have cake flour in the house, then go ahead and swap it out anyway and see what happens: you might find a new favorite cookie recipe!
Methods for using cake flour in cookies
It’s really easy to swap out cake flour for all-purpose flour in a recipe.
You can just do a 1:1 swap, which means that if you need to add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, just add 1/2 cup of cake flour instead.
This will really commit to the cake flour and lead to a more delicate cookie.
However, you can also swap out any ratio that you like. Add 1/2 all-purpose flour and 1/2 cake flour, or even 1/4 all-purpose flour and 3/4 cake flour or any combination that you like.
This will help you experiment with what it does to the recipe and make sure that you find that right balance between chewiness and softness.
Where can I find cake flour?
Most standard grocery stores carry cake flour.
However, you may find it in the cake mix aisle instead of with the other flours, so check there before assuming your store doesn’t have it.
In many places, you’re looking for a box rather than a bag, as it often comes in a box of flour instead of the more traditional flour bag.
You can also easily order it online.
Can you make your own cake flour?
You actually can make your own cake flour if you have the ingredients at home!
To make it, you’ll need cornflour or cornstarch and all-purpose flour.
Cornflour is preferable, but cornstarch will work too and is something that you might more commonly have at home.
To make cake flour, measure a cup of all-purpose flour.
Then, remove two tablespoons of that flour, and replace with two tablespoons of cornflour or constarch.
Mix together with a fork to combine evenly, and then, wallah, you have cake flour to use in your cookie recipe!
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