Recipe: high altitude baking substitutions

Why? If adjustments are not made to bread and cake recipes baked at high altitudes, they may overflow from the pan, fall in the middle and/or have a course or irregular texture. If cookie recipes aren't adjusted, they may spread during baking.

For most oatmeal cookies, including the recipes listed below, add an additional 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and bake as directed:
Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies
Quaker's Best Oatmeal Cookies
Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Famous Oatmeal Cookies
For most baked goods made from scratch, there are several ways to adjust a recipe. A good approach is to try one adjustment at a time and see which one produces the best results. Suggested adjustments are given below: Sugar - should be decreased because the evaporation of liquids at high altitude increases the
concentration of sugar. Indications of too much sugar include a sticky dark brown crust and/or a dip in the middle of the bread or cake.
For each cup of sugar (either white or brown):
decrease by 1 tablespoon at 3,000 feet
decrease by 2 to 3 tablespoons at 5,000 feet
decrease by 4 to 5 tablespoons at 7,000 feet Flour - should be increased because it gives structure to the recipe.
For each recipe:
increase flour by 1 to 2 tablespoons at 3,000 feet
increase flour by 1 to 4 tablespoons at 5,000 feet
increase flour by 2 to 5 tablespoons at 7,000 feet
When using self-rising flour, it is important to use only high altitude-adjusted recipes. Liquids - should be increased to compensate for the greater rate of evaporation.
For each cup of liquid (water, milk, juice) in breads or cakes:
increase by 1 to 2 tablespoons at 3,000 feet
increase by 2 to 4 tablespoons at 5,000 feet
increase by 3 to 4 tablespoons at 7,000 feet
For each batch of cookies (shaped, rolled, bar) at elevations of 3,000 feet or higher, increase liquid by 1/2 to 2 teaspoons. Leavening - should be decreased because foods rise more quickly at high altitudes.
Baking powder:
decrease by 1/8 teaspoon at 3,000 feet
decrease by 1/8 -1/4 teaspoon at 5,000 feet
decrease by 1/4 teaspoon at 7,000 feet
Baking soda:
decrease the total amount by 1/4 at elevations of 3,000 feet or higher. (For example, if the original
recipe calls for 1 teaspoon, use only 3/4 teaspoon.) Pans - use a larger size pan or divide the recipe between a greater number of pans.
Oven Temperature & Bake Time - increase the oven temperature by 15 F to 25 F while decreasing the recommended bake time to prevent burning.