What is the difference between cake flour and all purpose flour?

Answer 1

Cake flour is lower in protein than AP flour. You can use all purpose instead of cake flour, but it's heavier and I think you have to adjust the measurement..........
1 cup cake flour = 1 cup - 2 tablespoons ap flour

Answer 2

Cake flour has less gluten than all purpose flour, therefore it produces more tender pastries. In terms of gluten content, flours can be arranged as follows (from lowest to highest, ie most tender to toughest):
cake flour < all-purpose flour < bread flour

As for those answers saying that cake flour has baking powder included, it is not completly true. Leavening agents are added to produce self-rising flours, be it cake or all-purpose. Therefore if the words "self-rising" are not on the package, the leaveners are not there.

Answer 3

Cake flour is a finer grind than all purpose flour because the structure of cakes is more delicate and light.

Answer 4

Cake flour is softer, has less gluten. You can use all purpose flour in place of cake flour, you just use less.

Answer 5

cake flour is sifted several times and super fine and used primarily for cakes

all purpose flour is not sifted and used for everything, that's why it's called all purpose you can use it for cakes also just sift it for a smooth lump free batter.

Answer 6

cake flour has raising agents in it such as baking powder and bicarbonate of sodium, all purpose does not contain any of these it is plain flour suitable for all types of cooking.