How to substitute whole wheat for white flour in baking
Most people won’t realize the pancakes, Snickerdoodles, or dinner rolls they’re eating are made with whole wheat flour because it can be substituted for some (or all) of the all-purpose or bread flour (a.k.a. white flour) in recipes.
Baking with whole wheat flour: before you begin
In many baked goods, whole wheat flour can be substituted for white flour; the higher the percentage of whole wheat flour substituted, the more pronounced the effect; substitute 100%, and the difference can range from negligible (in most chocolate) to pronounced.
Baking with whole wheat flour: breakfast
Rising Cinna-Buns are made with all-purpose flour, white wheat flour, and a 50/50 blend of the two, and are high-rising and tender even when made with 100% whole wheat flour. Pancake batter may spread more if cooked right away, so let it rest for 30 minutes before cooking.
Baking with whole wheat flour: yeast bread, rolls, and pizza
The inherent flavor and texture of whole wheat are amplified in yeast baking, so substituting whole wheat flour for white flour will reduce the rise of your baked goods. The stiffer/drier the dough, the harder it is to rise.
Baking with whole wheat flour: cookies, brownies, and bars
When used 100%, the graininess of whole wheat flour can be noticeable in simple cookies and bars like shortbread, sugar cookies, brownies, and blondies. If you’re making drop cookies that need to chill for longer before scooping, you’ll need to increase the liquid.
Baking with whole wheat flour: cake and cupcakes
Cake encourages lightness, fine grain, and sweetness; whole wheat does not. The higher the percentage of whole wheat flour in your cake, the more likely it is to crumble. 100% whole wheat cupcakes may not dome as nicely as white-flour counterparts.
Baking with whole wheat flour: the bottom line
White whole wheat flour can be used in place of some or all of the white flour in your favorite recipes; most of the time, you won’t notice the difference; occasionally, you’ll detect a hint of wheatiness, but trust me, the end result will be completely satisfying.
Guess what? You might discover you like whole wheat
Whole wheat flour can also be used in bread, muffins, batter breads, biscuits, and pancakes; see our guide to replacing white flour with whole wheat flour in your favorite baked good for more information.
Can I substitute whole-wheat flour for all-purpose flour?
Start by substituting one-third of the flour in your recipe for whole wheat (for example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup flour, use 13 cup whole wheat and 23 cup all-purpose flour).
How does whole-wheat flour affect baking?
Whole wheat flour adds more nutrition to baked goods and other flour-based recipes, as well as a nutty and tasty flavor, but it can make the finished product appear drier and have a coarser texture than using a more refined all-purpose flour.
Does whole-wheat flour rise the same as all-purpose?
The short answer is no. Whole-wheat flour makes baked goods denser and heavier than all-purpose flour because, unlike white flour, it contains wheat bran, which Beranbaum claims acts like little knives in your dough.
Do you need more yeast for whole wheat flour?
The more whole wheat flour you use, the more bran and germ there is in the dough, and the more the gluten is shredded, which is why you should expect a decrease in loaf volume as you increase whole wheat flour, so use less yeast for wheat bread.
What is the difference between bread flour and whole wheat flour?
Bread flour, which comes in white and whole wheat varieties, has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, usually 11-13%, and is called “bread flour” because most bread requires more protein to produce a lot of gluten.
Is baking with whole wheat flour better?
Not only will you, your friends, and family discover that baked goods made with whole wheat flour are just as good as those made with white flour u2014 in some cases, they may even be better.
Can I mix whole wheat and white flour?
u201cBecause 100% whole-wheat flour is heavy and dense, most people prefer to mix it with some white flour for lighter results.u201d
What are the disadvantages of wheat?
Wheat is difficult to digest, and eating too much of it makes the intestines work harder, which can lead to blockages or sluggish digestion, which can cause digestive issues like water retention, bloating, and gas.
What happens if I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
If you’re wondering if you can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour or vice versa, the answer is yes! While the results won’t be exactly the same, your baked goods won’t be ruined, and you’ll still get a great result.
What can I substitute for all-purpose flour?
Alternatives to All-Purpose Flour
- Chickpea flour (also known as garbanzo bean flour or besan in Indian kitchens) is arguably one of my favorite ingredients.
- Rice Flour.
- Almond Flour.
- Buckwheat Flour Flapjacks.
Can I replace all-purpose flour with bread flour?
Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, but it can be used in place of all-purpose flour, and vice versa. However, the higher protein content of bread flour may result in a dry dough or batter, in which case you may need to add water.
Why is my bread so heavy and dense?
Dense or heavy bread can be caused by not kneading the dough long enough, mixing the salt and yeast together, or losing patience while molding your bread, resulting in a finished loaf with insufficient tension before baking.
Does whole wheat bread need to bake longer?
The bread should be nice and brown after 45 minutes; feel free to bake it longer if you prefer a darker brown, and it should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Note: if the temperature was raised, reduce baking time by 5-15 minutes to avoid burning.
How do you make whole wheat bread rise higher?
In the whole wheat bread recipe, replace 1 tablespoon flour with 1 tablespoon gluten. Dry milk powder u2013 Adding 2 tablespoons instant dry milk powder per loaf of bread will help your bread rise higher, stay soft, and hold the moisture longer.