Does Baking Powder Go Bad and How to Check It
Are you getting ready to bake a cake, but not sure if your baking powder is still good to use? How can you tell if it has expired? Is it still effective for baking or should you toss it out?
To check if your baking powder is expired, simply add 1 teaspoon to a glass of hot water. If the mixture starts bubbling a lot, then your baking powder is still good to use. If it doesn’t bubble, then it’s time to get a new one or try making your own at home.
How to Check It?
Baking powder only needs liquid to work its magic. The soda and acid in baking powder react with moisture, even from the air.
Expired baking powder can lose its effectiveness when it reacts with moisture from the air.
You should check your baking powder if:
- the expiration date has passed,
- it hasn’t been stored in a dry place,
- the package is open or damaged.
To test your baking powder, pour hot water into a glass, add the baking powder, and stir. Within 10-15 seconds, the mixture should start bubbling vigorously.
If it doesn’t react with water, then it’s time to say goodbye to your baking powder as it has lost its effectiveness.
How to Make Baking Powder at Home?
Want to know How to Make Baking Powder at Home? If your baking powder isn’t up to par and you don’t feel like making a trip to the store, you can easily whip up your own.
All you need is baking soda and citric acid (or cream of tartar). Just mix these two ingredients together and voila! Your homemade baking powder is good to go in just 1 minute.
Unlike store-bought baking powder, soda needs an acid to react, and citric acid does the trick perfectly.
Homemade baking powder works fast, so keep these tips in mind:
- Pop your cake in the oven as soon as you can after adding homemade baking powder.
- Don’t overmix your dough to keep those carbon dioxide bubbles intact.
With these simple tricks, your baked goods made with homemade baking powder will always come out light, fluffy, and delicious.
More Substitutes for Baking Powder
If you don’t have citric acid, you can try using baking soda with another acid like vinegar, buttermilk, lemon juice, or yogurt.
Just swap out 1 tablespoon of baking powder in a recipe with 1 teaspoon of soda and 2 tablespoons of one of these acidic liquids.
If the recipe already has some acid in it, you don’t need to add more – the acid will activate the baking soda and make it work.
How to Store Baking Powder?
To keep your baking powder and soda fresh and effective, store them in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.
And because they’re not expensive, seasoned bakers suggest replacing both every six months.
Commercial baking powder can last up to a year in a sealed container if it’s kept away from heat and moisture.
