How To Tell if Your Baking Powder Has Expired
Baking powder is a key ingredient in many recipes, from cookies to cakes to muffins. But because we only use a scant amount at a time, it can be hard to know how long that tin has been opened in the cupboard, and whether it’s still ready to give baked goods the lift they need. Use our handy guide to tell if your baking powder is expired, and avoid common baking problems.
Testing Baking Powder
Testing baking powder for activeness is actually fairly simple. Bring a cup of water to a boil. Put a teaspoon of the baking powder into a large bowl, and pour the boiling water over it. Why use a big bowl? Because if your baking powder is still good, the water will bubble violently, expanding about twice its volume.
A Quick Baking Powder Replacement
If your water just sort of sits there or only bubbles slightly, it’s a bad sign. Open a new can of baking powder to ensure that your superfood vegan biscotti reach the heights you desire and your homemade ginger beer turns out just the way you like it.
If you don’t have another can of baking powder on hand, try our favorite quick fix: combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar. Stir to combine well and use immediately.
Related on Organic Authority:
Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda: A Difference Indeed!
3 Common Problems and Solutions When Baking a Cake
Make Your Own Self-Rising Flour in a Snap
Image: mel b.
