Even the most experienced cooks sometimes start a recipe, only to find that one of the ingredients needed is not in the cupboard or refrigerator. If you bake only for the holidays, you may find that you need to make some substitutions in the recipe you are using so that you do not have to make another trip to the grocery store.

Recipe ingredient substitutions:

• Baking chocolate (1 ounce) = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa + 1 tablespoon margarine or butter

• Baking powder (1 teaspoon) = 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• Brown sugar (1 cup) = 1 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons molasses

• Buttermilk (1 cup) = 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar + milk to make 1 cup (stir and let stand for 5 minutes before using)

• Cake flour (1 cup) = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• Chocolate chips, melted (6 ounces) = 2 ounces baking chocolate + 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons margarine or shortening

• Corn starch (1 tablespoon) = 2 tablespoons flour

• Corn syrup (1 cup) = 1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup water or other liquid in recipe

• Cream (1 cup) = 3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine

• Cream cheese (8 ounces) = 8 ounces cottage cheese blended with 1/4 cup softened butter or margarine

• Egg (1) = 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (cake batter only) or 1/4 cup egg substitute

• Honey (1 cup) = 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup liquid

• Lemon juice (1 teaspoon) = 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

• Margarine (1 cup) = 7/8 cup oil or shortening

• Milk (1 cup) = 5 tablespoons dry milk powder + 1 cup water

• Molasses (1 cup) = 1 cup honey or dark corn syrup

• Powdered sugar (1 cup) = 1 cup sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon corn starch

• Sour cream (1 cup) = 1 cup plain yogurt

• Sugar (1 cup) = 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, packed

• Sweetened condensed milk (1 can) = 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons evaporated milk + 1 cup sugar + 3 tablespoons butter or margarine (heat and stir until combined)

If you don't even have the substitute for the missing ingredient, this is a good time to renew your acquaintance with your neighbor and to wish them a happy holiday at the same time as you borrow an egg or a cup of flour.

Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition resource educator with the Eat Smart NY program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.

Holiday Pinwheel Appetizers

Makes 25 pinwheels

12 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups shredded reduced fat

cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

1/2 cup finely diced green pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup finely chopped olives, chopped (optional)

8 ounces thinly sliced turkey or ham

6 flour tortillas (8-inch or 10-inch)

In a bowl, combine cream cheese,

cheddar cheese, and vegetables. Spread mixture on tortillas, leaving 1/4 inch border. Lay turkey or ham slices on top of spread. Roll up tightly and wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least four hours. Just before serving, remove from refrigerator and slice

into 1-inch pieces. Lay slices flat on a serving plate.