This is our helpful guide to UK-to-US ingredient substitutions, baking terms, and traditional kitchen tools so you can enjoy our old-fashioned British recipes from anywhere in the world.
Whether you're an American cook exploring traditional British recipes, or you're just puzzled by ingredients like golden syrup, caster sugar, or what a ''pudding basin'' is or "the grill," this page is here to help!
From baking measurements and ingredient swaps to tools and oven temps, this guide translates UK cooking terms into familiar US (and international) equivalents so you can recreate our family favourites with no confusion. However do reach out if you want any more clarification as I am always happy to help.
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🧁 UK to US Baking & Cooking Terms Table
| UK Term | US Equivalent / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pudding | Dessert |
| Pudding basin | Ceramic bowl or mould used for steamed puddings |
| Traybake | Sheet cake or bar-style bake |
| Grill | Broiler (top heat in oven) |
| Hob/Cooker | Stovetop |
| Greaseproof paper/Baking paper | Parchment paper |
| Cling film | Plastic wrap |
| Tin foil | Aluminum foil |
| Baking tin | Baking pan |
| Baking tray | Baking sheet |
| Chopping board | Cutting board |
| Balloon whisk | Wire whisk |
| Jug | Measuring cup or pitcher |
| Kitchen roll | Paper towel |
| Weighing scales | Kitchen scale |
| Ovenproof dish | Casserole dish or baking dish |
| Fairy cake tray | Mini cupcake tray or mini muffin pan |
| Mixing spoon | Wooden spoon or mixing spoon |
| Spurtle | Not commonly used in the US, can be described as a wooden porridge stirrer |
| Griddle / Girdle | Flat pan or skillet used for pancakes, in the US, called a flat griddle, pancake pan, or cast iron skillet |
🥣 Ingredient subsitutions
| UK Ingredient | US Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Caster sugar | Superfine sugar (or pulse regular sugar briefly in a blender) |
| Icing sugar | Powdered sugar / Confectioners’ sugar |
| Bicarbonate of soda | Baking soda |
| Cornflour | Cornstarch |
| Treacle (black treacle) | Molasses (use dark molasses for closest match) |
| Golden syrup | Light corn syrup |
| Custard powder | Instant vanilla pudding mix, or cornstarch + vanilla for flavour, and a pinch of salt. |
| Mixed spice | Pumpkin pie spice (or a homemade mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves) |
| Vegetable suet | Shredded vegetable shortening or replace with frozen grated vegan butter. |
| Self-raising flour | All-purpose flour + 1½ teaspoon baking powder per cup. Self-rising flour is very similar. Both include baking powder and salt, but formulas can vary slightly. Can work fine as a swap in most recipes like cakes and scones. |
| Plain flour | For cakes can use cake flour if preferred. For other recipes use all-purpose flour. |
| Strong white flour | Bread flour |
| Margarine (block-style) | Vegan butter (like Earth Balance or a margarine suitable for cooking) |
| Sultanas | Golden raisins |
| Demerara sugar | If you can't source this sugar replace with turbinado or raw sugar |
| Light brown sugar (soft brown sugar) | Same term used in US, no change needed |
| Dark brown sugar | Same term used in US, may be slightly darker, but works fine |
| Plant-based single cream | Plant-based light cream or half-and-half (dairy-free if needed) |
| Plant-based double cream | Plant-based heavy cream or whipping cream alternative |
🔥 Oven Temperature Conversion Chart (UK Gas Mark, Fan & Electric, and US °F)
| Gas Mark | Electric Oven (°C) | Fan Oven (°C) | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 140°C | 120°C | 275°F |
| 2 | 150°C | 130°C | 300°F |
| 3 | 160°C | 140°C | 325°F |
| 4 | 180°C | 160°C | 350°F |
| 5 | 190°C | 170°C | 375°F |
| 6 | 200°C | 180°C | 400°F |
| 7 | 220°C | 200°C | 425°F |
| 8 | 230°C | 210°C | 450°F |
| 9 | 240°C | 220°C | 475°F |
💾 Bookmark this page for later!
This guide is here whenever you need it so whether you're mid-bake and wondering about oven temps, or puzzling over what golden syrup actually is!
To bookmark the web page:
• Press Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac)
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Feel free to share it with others who might find it helpful too 💚
🗣 Have a Suggestion?
I've included the most common ingredient swaps and baking terms I've come across, but I know there are lots of regional differences especially between the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and worldwide.
If you're cooking one of my recipes and come across a term or ingredient you're unsure about, or if you know of a helpful swap that's not listed here, do feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch. I will keep this guide updated with your suggestions as well as add to it whenever I come across some more useful information. 💚
🍴 Ready to Start Cooking or Baking?
If you are ready to start browsing for your next home baking or cooking recipe then do have a good browse through our recipe index. From traditional puddings and desserts to old-school dinners & vintage recipes made vegan, there's plenty of our family favourite recipes to explore.
👉 Browse our full collection of recipes here.
Happy cooking! 💚
🌿 Try These British Family Favourites
Looking for a place to start? These long-standing tried-and-true family recipes are loved by our visitors, home and blog, and easy to make with simple ingredients:
- 🍰 Vegan Fruit Cake A classic easy bake filled with warm spice flavours. Perfect for afternoon tea.
- 🧁 Edinburgh Fruit Scones Soft & crumbly traditional scone from Scotlands capital. Amazing served warm with jam and a cuppa.
- 🍫 Chocolate Cornflake Cakes No-bake, quick and easy to prepare. A crunchy & chocolately nostalgic favourite with all ages. Most popular at Easter but available all year round in British cafes and shops.