How Is Bread Flour Different From Cake Flour?

Kitchen

Baking

How Is Bread Flour Different From Cake Flour? By Javaria Akbar Nov. 4, 2025 9:39 am EST

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Does using the right flour matter when you're making a batch of pizza dough or a fancy crusty boule? Turns out, it does if you want a final product that boasts a satisfying crumb and lofty rise. Bread flour and cake flour shouldn't be used interchangeably because they contain different amounts of protein. Bread flour is made from hard wheat that has a high protein content of almost 13%. When combined with water, this powder produces gluten. It's this binder that gives bread products their complex structure and flavor. As the gluten is worked, it traps the air inside the dough that's produced by leavening agents, helping it to hold its shape.

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