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:
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.
Place 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:
Testing 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.
While 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,
Thanks for sharing. I learned how important it is that these be fresh (especially baking powder) after a few flopped recipe of Springerle.
Those are amazing cookies Laura. I hate a bad batch of baking powder messed them up for you. I had a red velvet cake flop and that is how I discofered mine was old. I am glad we know how to prevent these baking flops in the future.
I’m glad you wrote this because I really never thought about it! I think mine is good to go, I use it up pretty fast. But now I’m going to check it, I want to see it bubble …. lol If it don’t I’m headed out the door I’ve got cookies to make today! Thanks
The bubbling is so much fun Loretta! LOL
Good to know! While I fly through baking powder, not so for baking soda. I should try this out!
I use mine a lot to Michelle but, sometimes it sits on the shelf at the store longer than expected. It is always good to check especially if you have a problem with something not turning out well.
Good point! I get my BP from Target and while I’d like to think its fresh as can be, who knows!
Had no clue. Thanks for informing us!
You are welcome Jeanne!
Here is a tip I use. After buying any spice, baking powder or baking soda I put the month/ year that I bought it with a sharpie on the lid. Or before baking season November – December I just buy new ones.
That is a great tip Connie! I love the date on the lid trick. So smart!!
This is a great tip – so glad you have more to come! (I agree, fresh spices totally makes a difference!) Okay, I’m off to check my baking powder and soda before I ‘expire’ for the evening! 🙂
You are so cute Kim! I wish we lived closer 🙂
What a great tip…I seriously never even considered to check if mine was no good anymore! So simple and easy!! Thanks
I live in the middle of nowhere and sometimes I forget to check the dates on things like baking powder when I purchase them. I couldn’t understand why my red velvet cake was flat and dull until I realized the baking powder that I bought only days before was expired. UGH! Because of that I do these tests every now and then to make sure everything is fresh.
Thanks for the great tips! I not only would have to put on shoes … probably would need to change clothes and then go to the store, LOL.
Hahaha! I might have to change out of my yoga pants Brenda! LOL
Great info, Lisa 🙂 I’ve always wondered about this!
Getting ready to bake sugar cookies. Checked my baking powder, thanks to this tip, and wouldn`t you know. Flat as a pancake! No bubbles, just white water. 🙂 The expiration date on the can was September 2014, so I missed it by a few months.
I hate when that happens Ann. LOL I am glad this tip helped you. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too!