Baking powder is a leavening agent, most frequently used in recipes like cakes, quick breads, and pancakes. It's often advertised as 'double acting,' which means that it contains two types of leavening ingredients. Unlike baking soda, baking powder frequently adds an additional ingredient, usually an acid, to bicarbonate of soda. This results in a higher rise in baked goods, because the rise begins at room temperature, instead of when foods are baked.

Baking powder, an inert mixture used as a chemical leavening agent, increases the volume and lightens the texture of baked goods. Household Uses for Baking Powder:. A gentle scouring powder for kitchen countertops. A paste (mixed with a little water) to shine stainless steel. A vinyl floor cleaner (1/2 cup mixed with a quart of water).

The most common combination of acids and alkalines that produce baking powder are cream of tartar and sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate activates at high temperatures, but combining it with an acid like cream of tartar activates it earlier. Not all recipes require this, and in fact, some baked goods can be ruined by the double rise mechanism. When a recipe calls for baking soda, using powder can create too much rise. Similarly, substituting soda for powder may result in flatter baked goods.

Grandma's 101 Uses For Baking Soda And Vinegar

If a baker runs out, he or she can combine one part baking soda and two parts cream of tartar. For instance, in a recipe that calls for 3 teaspoons of baking powder, the baker would use 2 teaspoons cream of tartar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. The powder may also contain a small amount of cornstarch, which helps to keep the ingredients from absorbing moisture, but this isn't unnecessary when mixing up a small substitution batch.

There is some concern the aluminum content in baking powder, especially for its potential to increase the risk for the later development of Alzheimer's disease. People who are concerned about this possible risk can find a number of brands that are aluminum free. This version is commonly available in natural food and health food stores.

Since baking powder begins to activate at room temperature, many recipes for baked goods that tell the cook to have all ingredients at room temperature. Many ignore this advice, and still produce fine baked goods. Bakers who are trying to make a high, light cake need to pay attention to these instructions, however, to make sure that the rising process begins before the cake reaches the oven.

Recipes containing acids like lemon juice and buttermilk will activate baking powder more quickly and render it more effective. Often, recipes recommend using about 1 teaspoon (4.6 g) of powder to 1 cup (125 g) of flour, but this amount should be lower when high acid content foods are added. The amount of leavening required in a recipe that contains about 1 cup (236.5 ml) of lemon juice or buttermilk usually decreases by a half.

Could you find any uses for expired baking powder? I hate to throw anything away.

By joy from Howell, MI

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Baking powder and baking soda can still be used beyond their expired date.

Go to a search engine and find out how to test your baking powder and baking soda. You'll find baking websites that will show you how to test those two leveling ingredients.

I wouldn't bake with expired baking powder I did it by accident and my cookies came out flat

Since baking powder is basically just baking soda with some extra leavening and reacting agents in it for cooking, when it 'expires' for your baking uses, you can still use it as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

It can be used as a cleaning agent for scrubbing stains in sinks and on countertops.
It can be kept near the stove for smothering small grease fires on your range.
It is good for a first aid for animal urine on a carpet or wood flooring, not only to absorb some of the urine, but to help neutralize the acidity and minimize damage to nice floor coverings.
It can also be used to raise the total alkalinity in a spa or hot tub.
It might still be effective as an odor absorbent in your refrigerator.

I can't think of any other uses, but there are probably dozens of other uses for baking soda around the home that have been compiled over the years.
good luck.

I found the website that shows how to test baking powder and baking soda.

www.joyofbaking.com/bakingsoda.html

Use it between your toes to keep feet dry to prevent athlete's foot; my father and brother always did this over 50 years ago.

What Can Baking Soda And Vinegar Be Used For

Down your drain with some hot water to make it smelling sweet, like you would use baking soda.

if nothing else, it would work great to absorb moisture for when you spill something

101 Uses For Baking Powder Soap

The current rage in the DIY world is faux concrete. Simply mix baking soda into acrylic or latex paint colour of choice. Then apply it to any kind of vessel you want to change the look of. Since baking soda is used to thicken the paint and give the appearance of natural grit and texture, you can simply use the exact same quantity of Baking Powder.

101 Uses For Baking Powder Instructions

*Side note* fresh Baking Powder is used in this technique as well. It will give you a different finish than baking soda, but beautiful all the same.

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