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Here’s a handy substitute for baking powder you can use if you’re baking and you realize you’ve run out!
Looking for a substitute for baking powder? If you’re in the middle of a recipe and have that oh crap moment, we’ve got your back!
As a cookbook authors and recipe expert, I’ve found a simple formula for how to substitute for baking powder in pancakes and baked goods.
Best Substitutes For Baking Powder
1. Baking soda + cream of tartar
This is my favorite substitute. The formula is one part baking soda to two parts cream of tartar, so you can use the math to increment the quantities:
1 tablespoon baking powder = 1 teaspoon baking soda + 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Keep in mind, homemade baking powder is not double acting like most baking powders on the market. This means that it will start to react as soon as it gets wet. So, get your batter in the oven as soon as possible and don’t let it sit out! This isn’t as big of an issue with baking powder you’ll purchase at the store, because double acting means part of the leavening occurs in the batter and part in the oven.
2. Baking soda + lemon juice or vinegar
Use ¼ teaspoon baking soda plus ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per teaspoon of baking powder. Make sure to get it in the oven quickly: this one reacts fast.
3. Self-rising flour
Replace the flour in the recipe with self-rising flour and leave out both the baking powder and the salt. It contains about 1½ teaspoons baking powder per cup.
What Is Baking Soda vs Baking Powder?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and baking powder are both leaveners, which means they’re used to make baked goods rise. What’s the difference?
- Baking soda is a base. When combined with an acid (lemon, buttermilk, vinegar, yogurt) in a recipe, it produces carbon dioxide bubbles and makes the baked good rise. It’s about 3-4x stronger than baking powder.
- Baking powder is a mix of baking soda, plus an acid (like cream of tartar). Since it already has the acid, it doesn’t rely on acid in the recipe to provide lift to baked goods.
Substitute For Baking Soda
Were you looking to substitute baking powder for baking soda instead? You can do that too: go to Substitute for Baking Soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps baked goods rise by creating carbon dioxide bubbles. It’s a combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), an acid (usually cream of tartar), and a starch (often cornstarch).
This substitute may slightly alter the taste or texture of your baked goods. If at all possible, use baking powder in your recipes.
Not by itself: baking soda needs an acid to react with, and baking powder already has one. Use ¼ teaspoon baking soda plus ½ teaspoon cream of tartar for each teaspoon of baking powder, or add an acidic ingredient to the batter.
