Baking powder and baking soda, the notable leavening agents, carry a significant recognition and a rich, long-standing history.
They were first created by accident when bakers needed an alternative to yeast.
But since then, they’ve become an essential tool for home cooks who love baking.
These two agents are made of different salts, but they both act similarly.
Both cause the release of carbon dioxide bubbles to create air pockets in baked goods, so they work well together.
When used correctly, baking powder and baking soda offer great results without much effort.
But what happens if you accidentally skip a step or use the wrong amount?
What can be used as a substitutes for baking powder?
If you need to find a baking powder substitute, there’s no shortage of products on store shelves.
Many of them are designed specifically for baking, while others can also be used to bake other foods like muffins or cakes.
What happens if you don’t use baking powder?
Baking powder is a great choice for many recipes because it offers several advantages over other types of leavening such as yeast.
It requires fewer ingredients than yeast, doesn’t require refrigeration, has longer shelf life, and does not produce off-flavors (yeast can sometimes produce a “yeasty” flavor).
How do you make a baking powder substitute?
Because baking powder is typically made with cream of tartar and either sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate, these are the main ingredients to look for when searching for a baking powder substitute.
Sodium bicarbonate is usually found in powdered form, while sodium carbonate comes in granules.
What are some common recipes that use baking powder?
Baking powder is found in many recipes including quick breads, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, bread rolls, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, muffins, and more.
Some popular examples include:
- Pumpkin Bread
- Blueberry Muffins
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Apple Crisp
- Cheesecake
- Banana Bread
What are some tips for using baking powder?
One of the best ways to prevent problems from occurring is to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
If a recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, don’t add more than that.
Baking powder reacts differently depending on its moisture content.
For example, baking powder should only be added to dry ingredients, not wet ones.
Also, baking powder needs time to activate before adding it to your mixture, so don’t add all of it at once!
What are some common mistakes people make when using baking powder?
While baking powder and baking soda are similar, they aren’t identical.
The biggest difference is that baking soda will react immediately, while baking powder takes up to 15 minutes to fully activate.
Make sure you read the instructions carefully, especially if you’re substituting baking soda for baking powder.
What are some things to keep in mind when using a baking powder substitute?
If you are unable to find either baking powder or baking soda, there are several alternatives.
You can purchase premade mixes, which often come with specific amounts of each product.
Some stores even sell baking powder and baking soda separately so you can mix them yourself.
As mentioned above, baking powder is meant to be added to dry ingredients, not to liquids.
This makes it difficult to substitute in some dishes, especially those with liquid ingredients such as custards, soups, sauces, gravies, marinades, and dressings.
Another thing to keep in mind when using a baking powder substitute is the temperature.
While baking powders react quickly at room temperature, they react much slower in cold temperatures.
So if you are making something ahead of time, do not expect the same outcome as when you are just mixing the batter right away.
What are some common uses for baking powder?
Baking powder is one of the most versatile leavening agents around because it can be used for dozens of different recipes.
One of the most popular uses is for cakes and pastries.
Some of the most common uses are:
- Cakes
- Molasses Cake
- Cheesecakes
- Brownies
- Frosting
- Cookies
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Custard
Since baking powder is activated by heat, it is important to use it early in the process.
This allows the recipe to cook through before the leavening agent begins to rise.
What are some things to keep in mind when baking with a baking powder substitute?
One of the major differences between baking powder and baking soda is that baking powder reacts faster.
You can see this difference when comparing the rising times for cake batters.
Since baking powder contains a smaller amount of leavening, it rises
quicker.
This means that cakes that are baked with baking powder won’t
have the same texture or volume as cakes that contain baking soda.
The other big difference is how the finished product tastes.
When using baking powder instead of baking soda, you’ll likely notice
a slightly tangier taste.
To counteract this, you can always add vanilla extract or another sweetener to the mix.
Libby’s pumpkin bread recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Cinnamon ground
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ginger ground
- ½ tsp. cloves ground
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- 1 -16 ounce Libby’s pure pumpkin
- 1 -14 ounce Evaporated milk
- ¾ cup brown sugar granulated
- 4 cups purpose flour
- 2 tsp. Baking soda
- 1 cup oil
Instructions
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and all the spices. Add in sugar and mix until well combined.
- Mix the dry mixture with the oil and pumpkin. Stir until well incorporated.
- Add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly until you achieve a thick batter.
- Grease or align a parchment paper on a 9 ½ inch baking pan and pour in your bread mixture.
- Bake at 350F on a preheated oven for about 1 hour. Insert a toothpick at the center and if it comes out clean the bread is ready.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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