Baking Soda and Baking Powder
1 teaspoon = 5 grams
To test baking powder's effectiveness: mix 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder with 1/2 cup (120 ml) hot water and the mixture should bubble immediately. Store in a cool dry place and it should be replaced every 6-12 months.
To test baking soda's effectiveness: mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and the mixture should bubble immediately.
Note: The general rule of thumb for amount of baking powder in recipes: 1 to 2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) of baking powder leavens 1 cup (140 grams) of flour. The amount will depend on the ingredients and how they are mixed.
Substitution for 1 teaspoon commercial baking powder: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch or 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) baking soda plus 1/2 cup (120 ml) of an acidic ingredient (buttermilk, sour milk or yogurt). Since homemade baking powder immediately releases its carbon dioxide gas when it is added and then moistened by the batter, it is important to bake the batter right away.
Note: Cream of Tartar - Lining the inside of wine caskets after fermentation is a white sediment (tartaric acid). This sediment is removed, purified and then ground to produce a fine white powder which we call cream of tartar. Cream of tartar can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores and should be stored in a cool dry place.
Both baking powder and baking soda are chemical leavening agents that cause batters to rise when baked. The leavener enlarges the bubbles which are already present in the batter produced through creaming of ingredients. When a recipe contains baking powder and baking soda, the baking powder does most of the leavening. The baking soda is added to neutralize the acids in the recipe plus to add tenderness and some leavening.
When using baking powder or baking soda in a recipe, make sure to sift or whisk with the other dry ingredients before adding to the batter to ensure uniformity. Otherwise the baked good can have large holes.
Baking powder consists of baking soda, one or more acid salts (cream of tartar and sodium aluminum sulfate) plus cornstarch to absorb any moisture so a reaction does not take place until a liquid is added to the batter. Most baking powder used today is double-acting which means it reacts to liquid and heat and happens in two stages. The first reaction takes place when you add the baking powder to the batter and it is moistened. One of the acid salts reacts with the baking soda and produces carbon dioxide gas. The second reaction takes place when the batter is placed in the oven. The gas cells expand causing the batter to rise. Because of the two stages, baking of the batter can be delayed for about 15-20 minutes without it losing its leavening power.
Too much baking powder can cause the batter to be bitter tasting. It can also cause the batter to rise rapidly and then collapse. (i.e. The air bubbles in the batter grow too large and break causing the batter to fall.) Cakes will have a coarse, fragile crumb with a fallen center. Too little baking powder results in a tough cake that has poor volume and a compact crumb.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda (alkali) is about four times as strong as baking powder. It is used in recipes that contain an acidic ingredient (e.g. vinegar, citrus juice, sour cream, yogurt, buttermilk, chocolate, cocoa (not Dutch-processed), honey, molasses (also brown sugar), fruits and maple syrup). Baking soda starts to react and release carbon dioxide gas as soon as it is added to the batter and moistened. Make sure to bake the batter immediately.
Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a sealed container in a cool dry place. Too much baking soda will result in a soapy taste with a coarse, open crumb. Baking soda causes reddening of cocoa powder when baked, hence the name Devil's Food Cake.
FAQs
A good rule of thumb, according to Corriher, is that 1 cup of flour can be leavened by ¼ teaspoon baking soda or 1 to 1¼ teaspoons of baking powder. Corriher says you can neutralize 1 cup mildly acidic ingredient (sour cream, buttermilk) with ½ teaspoon of soda.
What happens when you put too much baking soda? ›
Too much baking soda or baking powder can mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible. But don't freak out if you accidentally pour too much baking soda into cookie dough or add too much baking powder to the cake batter. Depending on the situation, you might be able to fix it.
What happens when you put too much baking soda in banana bread? ›
Too much baking soda will make your banana bread taste odd, a little bitter and salty. And it will make the batter rise to high. That might sound like a good thing, but the rest of the ingredients aren't sturdy enough to support the rise, so the bread will collapse.
What is a good substitute for baking soda for cleaning? ›
As mentioned, white vinegar and baking soda are an iconic cleaning duo… but white vinegar can stand alone. You can use this acid to kill most bacteria when used at full strength, but when diluted you can use it to get rid of stains, dirt, odours, mould, mildew and grease.
What happens if you use baking soda instead of baking powder? ›
However, if you're in a pinch, the substitution is one teaspoon baking soda equals three teaspoons baking powder. Baking soda is also much stronger than baking powder and, by trying to provide enough leavening, you may wind up with an unpleasant metallic, salty taste in the final baked product.
How much baking soda to 2 cups of flour? ›
Good rule of thumb: I usually use around 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 cup of flour in a recipe. Baking soda CAN leaven a baked good when exposed to heat.
What is the negative effect of baking soda? ›
In too large a dose, baking soda is also poisonous. This is due to the powder's high sodium content. When someone takes too much sodium bicarbonate, the body tries to correct the salt balance by drawing water into the digestive system. This causes diarrhea and vomiting.
What happens when you drink a teaspoon of baking soda? ›
Baking soda may lower stomach acid and relieve acid reflux or indigestion, too — which is unsurprising since the ingredient is a component of antacids, a common treatment for the conditions, Derocha said. There has also been some evidence to suggest baking soda may also slow the progression of kidney disease.
Should I use baking powder or baking soda for cookies? ›
Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.
What cancels out baking soda? ›
Use a small amount of an acidic condiment such as lemon juice or vinegar to neutralise the soda. If the recipe has chocolate, simply add half a teaspoon of cocoa powder to it. Buttermilk can also be used to counter the pungent taste of baking soda.
One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.
How do you get the taste of baking soda out of meat? ›
If baking soda is left on the meat before cooking, it can affect the flavor of the meat, sometimes giving it a metallic taste. Rinsing the baking soda off the meat before cooking will prevent this.
What should not be cleaned with baking soda? ›
9 Things You Should Never Clean With Baking Soda
- Aluminum.
- Antique Silver.
- Copper Cookware.
- Fiberglass Bathtubs.
- Glass.
- Marble Surfaces.
- Leather Furniture and Clothing.
- Painted Surfaces.
Baking powder won't have an off smell or taste—unless it's been contaminated with something else. And it is safe to use past its expiration date, even if it isn't as effective. You'll just end up with a flatter, denser baked good than you would if you used fresh baking powder.
Is 1 tablespoon of baking soda too much? ›
Typically, a daily dose of 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per day is recommended. Too much baking soda may cause diarrhea, stomach disturbances, gas, headaches, nausea, swelling, or vomiting.
How much baking soda per cup of flour to make self raising? ›
Here's our Test Kitchen's simple method to make self-rising flour: For every cup of self-rising flour, substitute one cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
Should I add baking soda to all-purpose flour? ›
Is All-Purpose Flour Self Rising? All-purpose flour will not rise on its own. If a recipe calls for all-purpose flour, it will typically require a leavening agent like baking soda, baking powder, or yeast to provide lift.
What is the ratio of baking soda? ›
Remember that baking soda is 3-4 times stronger than baking powder, so you'll need a lot more baking powder to get the same leavening action. As a general rule, triple the amount of baking powder for the amount of baking soda called for in a recipe. For example, 1 teaspoon baking soda = 3 teaspoons baking powder.
How much baking powder and baking soda per cup of gluten free flour? ›
2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.
