An item or material must be substituted only to ensure that it gives the same result as the original material. Do you have any doubts regarding things that be interchanged and used? Are you in need of a baking powder substitute?
That is the same for the baking powder, it can be substituted only if added ingredient gives the same power in the baked goods. The baking procedure will be complete only after adding all the dry and wet ingredients in the correct manner.
The recipe will have a light texture and sweet taste only adding quality products to the batter. Suppose you are a beginner in this baking field.
In that case, this article will help you to find the best baking powder substitutes that can be used in emergency situations where the baking powder is not available.
1. What is Baking Powder?
There are many ingredients available in the market that substitute baking powder. Mixing them in the correct proportion gives the same effect as baking powder. Before that, you must be familiar with baking soda and its use in baking goods.
Baking powder is one of the chemical leavening agents that act as a medium and makes the batter rise. It is commonly used by bakers and consists of a base and a weak acid.
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Baking powder consists of sodium bicarbonate and a dry acid component which is a cream of tartar. These dry acids react with sodium bicarbonate and release carbon dioxide gas, which makes the recipe rise.
Baking powder contains three ingredients baking soda, sometimes corn starch, and mono-calcium phosphates. Two types of action can take place instead of one, hence it is also known as double-acting baking powder.
2. How Can We Replace Baking Powder
Baking powder is a leavening agent that has no acidic ingredients. Sometimes we may think that baking soda can be substituted by baking powder. Baking powder makes the final product fluffy and tastier.
The reaction takes place in the recipe, no carbon dioxide will be produced due to no acidic content. Baking powder can be replaced in many ways by making homemade baking powder.
Own baking powder will have its own effect on the recipe. Replace baking powder with these substitutes and experience the reaction in a baked good.
3. 10 Amazing Baking Powder Substitutes
3.1. Plain Yogurt
Yogurt usually has acidic pH, which will act as a better baking powder substitute. As it is an ordinary ingredient in our kitchen, it is easy to make a baking powder substitute.
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Adding 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of plain yogurt to replace one teaspoon of baking powder in a recipe.
Make sure to use less amount of liquid texture in the recipe to get the correct texture. To get a more tasty recipe, a variety of flavours of yogurt can be used.
3.2. White Vinegar
The vinegar which is used for cleaning will help in this situation. Adding 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to half teaspoon of white vinegar will give the same rising effect of baking powder.
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During these actions, carbon dioxide bubbles will be produced and act as a leavening agent. Be careful to use the extra liquid in the recipe.
Sugar can be added more to reduce the vinegar’s taste. Apple cider vinegar is also in some recipes to get a neutral flavour.
3.3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice or vinegar gives the same effect as it contains the acidic ingredient. Lemon juice contains citric acid which releases carbon dioxide gas. Lemon juice and vinegar are the agents that give the same leavening effect.
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Mixing one by fourth teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of lemon juice can substitute baking powder.
Hence like vinegar, lemon juice can also be used as a baking powder substitute in baked goods. The citric acid in the lemon juice will do this acid-base reaction.
3.4. Club Soda
If you don’t have both baking soda and baking powder, you must add carbonate ingredients to the batter. The solution for this situation is to add other liquids that contain bubbles or carbonate gas.
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Club soda will help you to add to the recipe and does not need too much gas in the recipe. Club soda contains only a small amount of gas in it. For best results replace other liquids in the recipe with Club soda.
3.5. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is added to the recipe for pancakes, muffins, etc. to make baked goods rise. Hence, buttermilk contains lactic acid which will give the effect of baking powder.
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The fermentation process takes place in this due to the lactic acid present in it.
Just mix half a cup of buttermilk with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Reduce other liquids to maintain desired consistency.
3.6 Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is an ingredient that substitutes baking powder. The baking powder itself consists of cream of tartar which acts as dry ingredients. Cream of tartar is powdered acid that is used in wine making.
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As in all cases, add the same amount of baking soda to half a teaspoon of cream of tartar which can be replaced by baking powder. Hence it contains an acidic ingredient it acts as a leavening agent.
3.7 Self-Rising Flour
Self-rising flour has all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. It has all the dry ingredients needed for baked goods no need of adding baking powder and baking soda.
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You can replace regular flour with self-rising flour to make the recipe, leaving out the baking powder and baking soda. All-purpose flour is included in this substitute for baking powder.
3.8 Whipped Egg Whites
Whipped egg whites can act as a leavening agent hence they can form bubbles and produce gas. Another product that substitutes baking powder is whipped egg whites.
As the egg is an ingredient in baking it also suites instead of baking powder. Egg whites will help to increase volume and release bubbles and gives desired texture for the final baked product.
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As whipped egg whites are dry ingredients when mixed in the hand mixer to get a foam-like texture.
We can increase the speed of the mixer till it reaches its peak. Then mix it into the recipe. It can replace I teaspoon of baking powder. Whipped egg whites can replace baking powder.
3.9 Sour Milk
Sour milk will also own a baking powder substitute. If you have some sour milk in the refrigerator it will act as the baking powder substitute. Sour milk when combined with baking soda gives the same effect.
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To get baking powder mix the measure of 1/2 teaspoon of sour milk with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. The sour taste can be removed by the desired flavour of another liquid or essence. Hence it plays the role of baking powder and can be a good baking powder substitute.
3.10 Molasses
Molasses is a sweet substance that has acidic nature that produces sodium bicarbonate or gas with baking soda. For this purpose mix 1/4 teaspoon of both molasses and baking soda, then see the result that appears to get the effect of baking powder.
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It won’t be used in all recipes because it is a strong flavour which may change the flavour profile at the end of the result.
4. How to Choose Baking Powder Substitutes?
We can choose the right baking powder substitute only by considering the flavour of the final baked good. Some types of substitutes are suited for certain recipes.
For example, if vinegar is used it will have a sour taste that must be used in recipes that uses the minimum amount of vinegar or baking powder.
Molasses is a sugary taste so, it must be added to recipes like desserts which are sweeter.
If you are using a liquid-type substitute, you must reduce the volume of other liquids added to it. Otherwise, it will affect the constituency of the baked good.
Actually, you must adjust the other ingredients based on the substitute you are adding to the batter. If you are adding a strong flavour, you must reduce other items to get a better result.
5. How to Store Baking Powder?
Baking powder or baking soda must be stored in an air-tight container. It must be placed in cupboards to keep free from the stove, dishwashers, sink, etc.
Otherwise, it will react with acid to produce gases. Keep away from children after use. It acts as a cleaning agent in our households.
6. How Long Does Baking Powder Last?
If kept in airtight containers, it will last for 18 months. We must be careful about the expiry date of the products we are using. Check it before use.
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If placed in an open container it must be replaced in the next 3 or 6 months. It loses its leavening property while being open in containers. It will affect your recipe.
7. How to Test if Baking Powder is Good.
We can test the freshness of baking powder through various tests. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder in a small amount of water. If bubbles appear it is still good to use.
Final Note
Baking is an art, that will give us mental relief and introduce new ideas to the baking field. New recipes will generate from qualified bakers. But they must be well known about the ingredients added to it.
In a baking process, wet and dry ingredients have a major role. Among them, baking powder and baking soda share an important role in rise up the flour. These ingredients add a fluffy and lighter texture to the batters.
If there is shortness of any of these ingredients can be substituted by the other and gives the same result. Baking powder can be replaced by many things.
The baking procedure will become complete only after adding all these ingredients to the flour. The batter rises up and gives you the best result.
After reading this article you may be familiar with the things which substitute baking powder. All these things are included in our daily needs so the shortness of baking powder can be overcome by other.
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Last Updated on by Laveleena Sharma
