Cake flour is a crucial ingredient for achieving that perfect, tender crumb many bakers strive for in their cakes. With its lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour, it ensures a lighter and softer texture, making it the go-to choice for bakeries and home kitchens alike. Several brands stand out in the market, offering high-quality cake flour that consistently delivers excellent results. In this article, we'll explore some of the best cake flour brands available, helping you make an informed choice for your next baking project.
Illustration of cake flour
Best brands of cake flour in 2025
King Arthur Flour
King Arthur Flour is renowned for its high-quality products, making it an excellent choice for cake flour due to its carefully calibrated protein content. Their all-purpose flour, for instance, has a protein content of 11.7%, which is ideal for achieving the right structure and texture in baked goods. Unlike cake flour, which typically has a protein content of 6-8%, King Arthur's higher protein content ensures better elasticity and structure in dough. Founded in the late 1700s, King Arthur Baking Company has a long history of providing superior baking ingredients, sourced from American farms and free from bleach, bromate, and artificial preservatives. This commitment to quality and responsible sourcing has made King Arthur a trusted name in the baking industry.
Bob's Red Mill
Bob's Red Mill is renowned for its high-quality flours, particularly its cake flour, which is milled from soft wheat and contains a low protein content of 5 to 8%. This low protein and high starch content make it ideal for creating light, airy baked goods. The company, founded in the early 1970s by Bob and Charlee Moore, emphasizes natural and unbleached products, ensuring nutritional integrity. Bob's Red Mill cake flour is finely milled to an extra fine consistency, allowing for excellent water absorption and a tender texture. This attention to detail and commitment to quality have made Bob's Red Mill a trusted name in the baking community.
Swans Down
Swans Down is a renowned brand in the baking industry, celebrated for its high-quality cake flour made from the finest American soft winter wheat since 1894. This flour is 27 times finer than all-purpose flour, ensuring cakes rise higher and have a lighter, fluffier texture. It is a pure soft flour without leavening agents or salt, making it ideal for various baked goods. Swans Down Cake Flour is non-GMO, processed in a peanut/tree nut-free facility, and has been a trusted choice for generations of bakers. The brand's commitment to quality has made it a staple in many baking traditions.
Gold Medal
Gold Medal, a brand with over 135 years of baking success, is a leading producer of high-quality cake flour, dominating a significant portion of the North American market. Their cake flour, often preferred for its versatility and performance, is part of a global cake flour market expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2024 to 2030, reaching a market size of US $156.21 billion by 2030. Gold Medal's cake flour is known for its blend of hard and soft wheat, ensuring optimal texture and taste in various baked goods. The brand's products are widely available through various distribution channels, including convenience stores, supermarkets, and e-commerce platforms. With its trusted heritage and consistent quality, Gold Medal remains a favorite among bakers.
White Lily
White Lily is renowned for its exceptional cake flour, particularly due to its low protein content of 9%, which is ideal for creating moist, light, and ethereal crumb textures in baked goods like layer cakes. This flour, made from soft red winter wheat, is bleached, enriched, and unbromated, making it a preferred choice for bakers seeking a silky and loose batter. The lower protein content prevents strong gluten bonds, resulting in a tender and crumbly texture. White Lily's all-purpose flour is often compared to cake flour due to its performance in recipes, and it is highly recommended for cakes, biscuits, and other delicate baked items. Its popularity is reflected in the growing demand for softer, lighter baked goods, contributing to the expanding self-rising flour market.
Pillsbury Softasilk
Pillsbury Softasilk is a renowned brand in the cake flour market, known for its high-quality enriched and bleached cake flour. This product contains bleached wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid, making it a preferred choice for bakers. With a protein content of around 6.9%, Softasilk cake flour is ideal for producing high-ratio cakes with a fine crumb and moist texture. It is widely available in stores and online, including a 26-oz packaging option. The brand's strong presence in the market is reflected in its dominance, particularly in North America. For more details, visit the Softasilk product page.
Heckers
Heckers is renowned as one of the best producers of cake flour, offering high-quality products made from premium wheat that ensures excellent gluten development and perfect texture for baked goods. Their flours are unbleached, milled from hard red winter wheat grown in Kansas, and have a protein content in the mid- to upper 11% range, which is higher than traditional all-purpose flours. Heckers flours are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, making them a healthier option for baking. The brand has been trusted by chefs, breweries, and manufacturers for over 30 years, and their products are available in various sizes to suit different needs. With a consistent and reliable quality, Heckers flour is a must-have for any baker seeking excellent results.
Arrowhead Mills
Arrowhead Mills, while not specifically highlighted for cake flour, is a reputable brand known for its organic and whole grain flours, offering a range of products that can be adapted for various baking needs. Their organic flours, such as the Organic Whole Wheat Flour - Stone Ground, are praised for their nutritional benefits and traditional stone-ground process. However, for cake flour, brands like King Arthur and Pillsbury are more commonly recommended due to their specific protein content, typically ranging from 7% to 9.4%. Arrowhead Mills does offer an Organic All-Purpose Flour, but it may not have the exact protein profile ideal for cake flour. For those seeking a gluten-free option, Arrowhead Mills provides several alternatives that can be used in various recipes.
Hodgson Mill
Hodgson Mill is renowned for its high-quality baking products, including cake flour, which is part of their extensive range of honest, flavorful foods. Their offerings include various gluten-free and whole wheat options, ensuring a diverse selection for bakers. Established with a commitment to farm-to-fork quality, Hodgson Mill provides reliable ingredients for baking needs. While specific details on their cake flour's protein content or ash percentage are not provided, their products are known for consistency and taste. With a return policy of 180 days, customers can trust in the quality of their purchases.
Heartland Mill
Heartland Mill, established in 1985, is a renowned producer of high-quality flours, including those suitable for cake baking, although they are more specialized in bread flours. Their flours are made from certified organic Hard Red Winter Wheat, ensuring superior taste and nutritional value. The protein level of their all-purpose flours, such as UBUE and UBAP, is around 11%, which is suitable for various baking needs. Heartland Mill's commitment to organic farming and rigorous testing processes, including Chopin Consistograph and Alveograph tests, guarantees consistent quality. Their products are ideal for bakers seeking wholesome and sustainable ingredients.
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