Whether you’re hoping for a bit of a lighter texture in your cookies or you just want to know, “can you use cake flour for cookies?” because that’s all you have in the pantry, this guide is for you!
Cake flour in cookies is not uncommon, but there are some general best practices about when and how to use it that we’ll go over.
We’ve also got information below on where to find cake flour, how to make your own cake flour, and more!
For more information on types of flours to use in cookies, check out our guide on using bread flour in cookies, as well as our cookie troubleshooting guide.
GET A FREE COOKIE RECIPE BOOK & SECRET BAKING HACKS!
With 9 guaranteed-delicious cookie recipes and plenty of secret baking hacks, this is your ad-free key to cookie success!
What is Cake Flour?
There are different kinds of flours, and usually cookie recipes call for all-purpose flour.
However, another type of flour is called cake flour.
Flours are often differentiated by the percentage of protein in them.
Cake flour is a low protein flour, with about 7-9% protein as opposed to the 10-12% protein in all-purpose flour.
This means that there is less gluten formed as you mix the dough, leaving you with a more delicate and fluffy consistency after baking.
Must-Have Baking Tools (seriously)
- Silicone baking mats – I use this brand and my cookies slide right off without burning!
- a cookie scoop – get this one. It makes the perfect rounded cookies every time!
- silicone spatula – try this set. It’s the best way to get the most out of your dough and batters
- rolling pin guides – I use this one. Genius way to roll your dough out evenly!
Can You Use Cake Flour for Cookies?
Yes, you can use cake flour in cookies!
Yes, you can use cake flour in cookies! It will change the texture, but will still be delicious!
It will change the texture, if the recipe calls for plain or all-purpose flour, but this might be preferable if you want a lighter texture.
Nothing bad will happen if you use cake flour in your cookie dough.
Why Would You Use Cake Flour in Cookies?
Using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour will make your cookies lighter, more delicate, fluffier, and more tender.
Some people use cake flour when trying to make soft cookies.
This makes sense, as it turns out more “cake like” instead of dense or chewy.
If you want a delicious chewy or flat cookie, cake flour is usually not your best bet.
However, if you only have cake flour and no all-purpose flour, then you can still substitute it and just see how your cookies turn out as it won’t ruin the batch but instead just change the texture.
How to Use Cake Flour in Cookies
You’ve got two options when it comes to using cake flours in cookies.
Firstly, you can simply swap out all of the all-purpose flour for cake flour.
You can swap amount for amount here, meaning if your recipe wants 1 cup of all-purpose flour, then simply add 1 cup of cake flour instead.
This is great if you want a really soft, puffier, delicate cookie.
Secondly, you can swap out half of the all-purpose flour for that amount of the cake flour, or any other type of ratio like 25% cake flour and 75% all-purpose flour, or 75% cake flour and 25% all-purpose flour.
This is a better option if you want to test it out or if you just want a little bit more softness to your cookies but still want to retain some chewiness.
Where to Find Cake Flour?
You can usually find cake flour in most grocery stores, though some bakers report that you’ll find it in the cake mix aisle rather than with the other flours.
It typically comes in a box, rather than a bag.
You can also order it off of Amazon.
How to Make Your Own Cake Flour with All-Purpose Flour
If you don’t have your own cake flour, but want to try using it in cookies, there is hope!
You can make something similar to cake flour at home if you also have cornstarch or cornflour sitting around (cornflour is better, but most people have cornstarch).
For every cup of all-purpose flour, take out 2 tablespoons of flour and replace with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Mix or sift together, and then use in your recipe.
