I sometimes receive messages from readers who say they followed my recipe to the letter, but their cake didn’t rise. And my first question back to them is – “did you check your baking powder is still good”? Baking powder can be dead even if it’s not past the due date.
To check if your baking powder is still active, pour 1/4 cup boiling water over 1/2 tsp baking powder. If it bubbles, it’s still good. If not, it’s no good!
If it foams when you pour over boiling water, the baking powder is active!
Background
Dead baking powder is a common cause of cakes not rising, even if it’s not past the due date. This is because factors such as heat, humidity and jars not properly sealed will reduce the rising power of baking powder.
So if you don’t bake regularly and your baking powder has been sitting in the dark corners of your pantry for months, it’s wise to check if your baking powder is still active before embarking on that special celebration cake!
How to check if baking powder is still active
Place 1/2 teaspoon baking powder in a small bowl.
Pour over 1/4 cup (65ml) boiling water.
Still good – If it bubbles energetically as you pour, it’s still good. Note, the bubbles will subside quite quickly once you finish pouring.
Dead – If it doesn’t foam, then the baking powder is dead. Time to get another!
Baking powder can go off even if not past the Use By Date
Unless you’re a regular baker, baking powder can sit forgotten in the dark corners of your pantry for months, during which time it loses its rising power, causing cakes to not rise and cupcakes to sink.
Baking powder can go off even if it is not past its expiry date.
This is because baking powder starts to lose its rising powder as soon as you break the seal, and the rate at which it does depends on factors such as heat, humidity and how well the jar is sealed.
Patisseries and restaurants replace baking powder regularly to ensure it is fresh.
In professional kitchens and restaurants, baking powder is replaced regularly and/or recipes are adjusted to increase the amount of baking powder to compensate for the loss of rising power of older baking powder.
So while the Use By Date on the jar may suggest the baking powder is still good for months or even over a year, if it’s been open for months OR it’s been stored in a hot humid environment, it may no longer be active.
So if you don’t bake regularly, it’s wise to check if your baking powder is still active before embarking on that special celebration cake or dozens of cupcakes for the bake sale!
What happens if baking powder is no longer active
Baking powder is the ingredient that is used to make cakes, muffins and other baked goods rise so it becomes soft and fluffy inside.
So if baking powder is not active OR less active than it should be, anything you use it in will not rise as it should.
Time to toss it and get another! ~ Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Just because this isn’t a recipe, doesn’t mean Dozer doesn’t make an appearance! Here he is, just looking cute. 🥰
Made my day …. I had this happen to me (1st time in 60 years of baking) for my husband’s birthday cake! BP was in date, but no fizz 🌺🌺
I tried the lemon cake and tested my baking powder as you suggested but the cake did not rise in the middle. What did I do wrong please. Love your recipes. From Ireland
Love this tip. Just checked mine, fizzed and bubbled beautifully. Then checked expiry date. December 2014. Any thoughts?
Thank you very much for this great tip Nagi. Just tested my baking powder after reading your recipe for Best Pound Cake! As usual, sharing your wonderful knowledge with everyone 😍
Thank you, I have started cooking as I don’t normally and tied one your recipe (beef b) and it was awesome. you have made me want to try more.
OK, that explains why my bread didn’t rise! Thanks Nagi, and goodbye baking powder!!
Missed you, Nagi. So glad you are feeling better. Just looked at Dozer’s photo and he has beautiful, curly hair on his chest. Glad you are both back.
Waow! Saving people’s bakes like no other ♥‿♥
😀😀 N x
Nagi, your recipes are fantastic and I truly appreciate your tips and thoughtfulness in detail. You are definitely my ‘go to’.
Thank you!
You are a clever cook Nagi, this is a great tip! x
Thanks so much Sarah!! N x
Great tip! I never realised baking powder could die!
Good Afternoon. When you mentioned checking to see if your Baking Powder was still good I was stunned. I have never heard of it going bad and now I am going to check it. Thank you so much for the good advice. You Rock.
You’re so welcome Sylvia, you’ll agree it’s absolutely frustrating when a recipe doesn’t work because of an old, out of date ingredient!! N x
As always Dozer always looking cute with his crimped ears 🥰🥰🤗🤗💋
😂 Thanks Carol! N x
Oh I did the baking powder test mine is still good thanks for the tips.The cake turned out perfect and yummy 🤤😋
Our beautiful Natasha has now passed over,Dozer reminds me of how beautiful and funny these can be.
Thank You for all the wonderful recipes so easy to follow and using everyday ingredients.Enjoy cooking your recipes.Thank You again.
Beautiful picture of this sweet boy. Worth the wait for the pic😊
So handsome.
Dozer is still MIA from this post… ! Great tip Nagi thank you as always!
HOW could I forget Dozer…😭😭😭 Fixed! N x
I have read that baking powder can be substituted with bi-carb (baking soda) and cream of tartar. Any thoughts on this? I haven’t tried it yet so I would be interested to know if you have Nagi.
Hi Judith, yes you can use a substitute of 2 parts cream of tartar to 1 part bi-carb/baking soda 🙂 N x
Thanks for this tip. I now know the excuse for my failed banana cake(s). Could you think about using grams in your measurements. Sometimes cups and tablespoons are a problem when reducing portion size.
Your extra notes & ingredients tips are so useful and interesting – thank you!
You’re so welcome Kate!! N X
Thanks for the tip!
You don’t have to toss baking powder that’s off! It can be mixed with moisturiser to make a facial scrub. My skin loves it! No breakouts or dry skin any more.
I would never have thought of that!! N x
Oh and if you mix (even old) baking powder into shampoo with a little water, you get a clarifying shampoo. Leaves my hair so swishy, it doesn’t feel like my hair 😉
i think it has to do with the pH value.