How to tell if Baking Powder is Good

Unless you have been living under a rock or in some dark and gloomy cave then, you must have noticed that baking season right around the corner. The kiddos are back in school and pumpkin things are hitting the shelves in the grocery store There are spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts all over the internet. Well, before you begin baking like a crazy person (I am totally talking about myself here), there is something I want to ask you. Is your baking powder and baking soda fresh? Do you know how to tell if baking powder is good? What about baking soda? Is that to personal? Sorry if it is but, we need to know.

How to tell if baking powder is good thebearfootbaker.com

How to tell if Baking Powder is Good:

If you are using baking powder that isn’t fresh then it will affect the outcome of your recipe. It does have a pretty long shelf life but, if you use old baking powder in your recipes, it will make your cakes or cookies flat and dense. After all the work and adding the expensive butter you don’t want something like old baking powder to ruin it.

There is a simple little test so you will know how to tell if baking powder is good. To test your baking powder all you need is ½ teaspoon of baking powder and ½ cup of hot water.

 

How to tell if baking soda is good thebearfootbaker.comPlace the baking powder in a bowl and add the hot water. If it bubbles, it is good. If not, sorry to tell you but, you need to grab your purse and put on your shoes and head to the store for more. See how simple this little test is. Now you know how to tell if baking powder is good.

How to Tell if Baking Soda is Good:

How to tell if baking soda is good by thebearfootbaker.comTesting baking soda is a little different than testing baking powder. For baking soda, pour ½ cup of vinegar over ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. It if bubbles it is still good.  If it is bad, you won’t see any bubbles but don’t throw it away. Place it in the refrigerator or freezer to absorbed odors.

How to tell if baking powder is good by thebearfootbaker.comWhile you are at it, go ahead and check all the expiration dates on your spices. The fresher your spices are, the better your baked goods will taste. I hope you enjoyed this “Bearfoot Basics” tip. I have more for you on the way. In the meantime, if you have a baking emergency, did you know you can call the “Bakers’s Hotline” at King Arthur Flour? The number is 855-371-BAKE. You can chat with a baker and they might be able to help you with things like how to tell if baking powder is good and things like that. They didn’t help with this post and I have never called but it is good to know I have a place to go if I need help.

If you are looking for more tips and tricks, you may enjoy the  “Beginners Guide to Cookie Decorating”.

Bear hugs,

Lisa