How to Substitute Baking Powder in Recipes

Much more precise than cooking in most respects, baking relies on precise ratios of ingredients to produce specific textures and tastes, making substitutions more difficult.

Baking powder is often a crucial leavening ingredient in many cookies, cakes and breads, as it contributes to the light, airy texture we associate with many well-loved baked goods. If you've run out of baking powder, or simply can't use it in your baking, there are several substitution options for average baking powder (sodium bicarbonate).

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Cream of tartar
• Cornstarch
• Sour milk, buttermilk or plain yogurt
• Molasses

Instructions

1. Replace one teaspoon baking powder with the combination of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch.

2. Replace one teaspoon of baking powder with the combination of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup sour milk/buttermilk or plain yogurt. Be sure to reduce the total liquid of the mixture by 1/2 cup to make up for the added liquid. For example, reduce the milk called for in a batch of cookies to 2 cups if the recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups with all of the called-for ingredients.

3. Replace one teaspoon of baking powder with the combination of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/3 cup molasses. Be sure to reduce the liquid of the mixture by 1/3 cup to make up for the added liquid. For example, reduce the milk called for in a batch of cookies to 2 cups if the recipe calls for 2 1/3 cups with all of the called-for ingredients.

References

• Joy of Baking; 'Baking Ingredietn Substitution Table'; 2010

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish