Choosing the Right Flour for Baking
You cannot swap flours indiscriminately and expect the same result. The structural integrity of your finished bake depends entirely on the mill of the grain and the protein percentage within the bag.
Protein determines texture
Look for the protein percentage on the nutrition label; this is your best indicator of how the flour will perform in the oven.
- digital scale
- sifter
- airtight storage containers
What goes in.
- variescake flour (approx 7-9% protein)
- variespastry flour (approx 8-10% protein)
- variesall-purpose flour (approx 10-12% protein)
- variesbread flour (approx 12-14% protein)
Gluten control through selection
Control your crumb by matching flour strength to the recipe: use lower protein for soft, crumbly textures and higher protein for chewy, structured bakes.
The method.
Identify the goal
Determine if your bake requires rise and chew (bread) or tenderness and flake (cakes/biscuits).
Select the flour
Use bread flour for yeast-leavened items, all-purpose for general cooking and quick breads, and cake flour for fine-crumbed sponges.
Measure by weight
Always use a scale. Flour compresses easily in a measuring cup, leading to significant variations in density.
Sift
For cake and pastry flours, sifting aerates the particles, ensuring even distribution and preventing pockets of raw flour.
When it doesn't go to plan.
If a recipe calls for cake flour and you only have all-purpose, remove two tablespoons of flour from every cup and replace them with cornstarch.
Store flour in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and odors.
Bread flour can be used for pizza dough to achieve a noticeable pull and chew.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use bread flour for cakes?
It is generally too strong. The high protein will create a tough, rubbery crumb rather than a delicate, soft one.
Does the brand of flour matter?
Yes, different mills use different wheat varieties, which means protein levels can vary even between bags of all-purpose flour from different manufacturers.