• Know Better, Live Better - These articles, tips and ideas from I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® can help you make better food choices.

  • April Flours: Choosing the Right One - Baking basics from I Can't Believe It's Not Butter®

  • Not all flour is created equal. Different types of flour are ideally suited to different uses. When it comes to the science of baking, you want to be sure to use the right flour for the task.

    All-purpose white flour

    All-purpose flour is the most common type and is used to make most types of homemade baked goods. Bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour can be used interchangeably, but unbleached flour has more vitamin E, so opt for unbleached if possible. All-purpose flour and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Sticks blend perfectly to make great desserts.

    Bread flour

    Bread flour is best for baking loaves of bread that rely on yeast to rise. Bread flour has more gluten than other wheat flours. The extra gluten in this unbleached flour adds elasticity and lift to produce chewy breads with a crunchy crust. It’s also the best choice for homemade pizza dough. You can find bread flour in most grocery stores.

    Whole-wheat flour

    Whole-wheat flour is easy to find in your grocery store and is commonly used in breads and baked goods. Made from the whole grain of wheat, it has more protein and fiber than white flour. A combination of 50% whole wheat with 50% all-purpose white or bread flour is a great way to add nutrients to your baked goods without sacrificing texture. Look for a recipe that’s specially designed for whole-wheat flour.

    Cake flour

    Cake flour is ideal for making light and fluffy cakes and pastries. This finely ground flour makes tender, delicate cakes and cookies that are airy, yet still hold their shape. It can also be used to make quick breads and muffins. Use cake flour only when the recipe calls for it, since baking with it may produce a different result than expected!

    Oat flour

    Oat flour can be used to make cookies, brownies, and Irish soda bread. You can make your own oat flour by grinding old-fashioned oats or quick cook oatmeal in your blender or food processor until fine. Oats add another dimension of flavor while also adding extra protein and fiber. Try our recipe for Cranberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies using I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Sticks.