Is Your Baking Powder Up for the Job?

When it comes to baking, using the best ingredients is absolutely essential. Be sure to test whether your baking powder is fresh. Baking powder is a leavening agent that contains a combination of baking soda, an acid (such as cream of tartar), and a moisture absorber (such as cornstarch). Baking powder releases carbon dioxide gas bubbles when mixed with liquid, and this is what causes breads and cakes to rise.

However, baking powder loses its potency over time, so if you’ve had the same supply for eons, be sure to test whether your baking powder is still good. Pour ¼ cup of hot tap water over ½ teaspoon of baking powder and observe – the fresher the powder, the more actively it will bubble. If a weak reaction occurs, or none at all, your baked goods will end up flat!