If your recipe calls for baking powder and you do not have any you can actually create your own baking powder substitute if you have baking soda and cream of tartar on hand. Increase the amount of baking powder by four times the amount of baking soda called for in the recipe. If your recipe calls for baking soda and you do not have any on hand, you can substitute the baking soda with baking powder. However, if you understand how the two interact, there are some ways to substitute for either if absolutely needed. It is best to find a recipe that uses the ingredients you have on hand.

Substituting Baking Soda and Baking Powder:īecause baking is a science, it is not ideal to substitute baking soda and baking powder in most recipes. Additionally, since baking powder is double acting, it gives even more rise to the baked good. Recipes that call for both baking soda and baking powder usually have to do with the fact that the recipe contains acid that needs to be neutralized by the baking soda, but possibly not enough to do the amount of leavening desired.

Why Do Some Recipes Use Both Baking Soda and Baking Powder? If it does not bubble, throw it out and get a new container. If it is still fresh, it will start bubbling quite a bit. To test if your baking powder or baking soda is still active, add a teaspoon to about 1 cup of hot water. If you are in doubt if your baking powder is still good, you can test it. Most baking powders these days are also “double acting” which means that they actually contain two types of acids, one that reacts when it is hydrated and the other that reacts to the heat of the oven.īaking powder is about four times weaker than baking soda and it does have a shelf life. Therefore, baking powder can be used on its own to leaven baked goods without the need for an acidic ingredient.īaking powder works in the same way that baking soda does by creating air bubbles (carbon dioxide) which cause the baked good to rise. What Is Baking Powder?īaking Powder is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) that is already mixed with an acidic ingredients. In baking, the usual acidic components include: buttermilk, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, yogurt, lemon juice (or other citrus juice), natural cocoa powder (dutch processed cocoa powder is not acidic), and chocolate.īaking soda is ideal to be used instead of baking powder if there is an acidic component because it is about four times more effective than baking powder. When the basic properties of baking soda mix with the acidic properties of another ingredient the baking soda works to neutralize the acid and this is what causes the air bubbles (carbon dioxide) that leaven the baked good. In order for it to do it’s job of leavening your baked good, it needs an acidic component to react with. On the ph scale, it is considered a basic. Baking soda, also sometimes referred to as “sodium bicarb,” is plain sodium bicarbonate.

Recipes with baking powder