While many people think that having baking powder on hand is essential for perfect baked goods, that is not the case. In fact, I’ve baked without it for the majority of my life.
Baking powder is one of the most easily replaceable ingredients out there.
So, if you started your famous chocolate chip cookie recipe and wondered how to make baking powder, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected the top 10 best baking powder substitutes just for you!
How Is Baking Powder Used In Baking?
Baking powder acts as a leavening agent for baked goods. Its base is sodium bicarbonate, which is baking soda.
This may leave you asking, “Can you use baking soda instead of baking powder?” But the main difference is, the baking soda in baking powder is mixed with an acid (commonly cream of tartar), and when water is added, this creates a chemical reaction. The reaction releases carbon dioxide bubbles, which allows the recipe to expand and rise.
Lucky for you, plenty of items in your kitchen can do the exact same thing, and we have a list of them!
The Best Baking Powder Substitutes
1. Cream of Tartar and Baking Soda
My tried and true, go-to substitute for baking powder. It is the exact ingredients you’d find in store-bought baking powder.
Use a 2:1 ratio of cream of tartar to baking soda. So, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking powder, mix ⅔ teaspoon cream of tartar and ⅓ teaspoon baking soda.
2. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Another baking powder substitute I frequently use, lemon juice and baking soda work wonders together.
It should be noted though, lemon juice can add flavor when used in large quantities, so it’s best to use in recipes you want the flavor in, or in small doses.
Use ½ teaspoon lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon baking soda for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
3. Buttermilk and Baking Soda
Since buttermilk is acidic, when mixed with a base it provides a great replacement for baking powder.
But, beware of the extra liquid. You may want to eliminate an equal part of other liquids in the recipe (such as water or milk).
Use ½ cup buttermilk and ¼ teaspoon baking soda for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
4. Vinegar and Baking Soda
Again, vinegar is acidic and baking soda acts as the carbonate. Vinegar works best in cakes and cookies, as opposed to other baked goods, because of the bubbly reaction.
You can use either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, but apple cider might leave a taste behind.
Use ½ teaspoon vinegar and ¼ teaspoon baking soda for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
5. Molasses and Baking Soda
For ginger and snickerdoodle cookies, I like to use molasses to substitute for baking powder. It sweetens the recipe, adds a rich taste, and darkens the color.
Because it is a sweetener and is liquid, you will want to eliminate an equal part of your liquid and sweetener in the recipe.
Use ¼ cup of molasses and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, mixed, for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
6. Yogurt and Baking Soda
Any plain yogurt will work as a baking powder substitute when mixed with baking soda. But again, because it is a wet ingredient, you may want to reduce your liquid content accordingly.
Use ½ cup of yogurt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
7. Club Soda
The carbon dioxide bubbles in club soda are similar to the reaction baking powder and water have. But, be sure to add it last and only mix slightly to avoid the bubbles escaping.
Replace the liquid content in your recipe with club soda and you are good to go!
8. Whipped Eggs Whites
Egg whites are best used as a baking powder substitute when the recipe calls for eggs, as finding the ratio can be tricky. If you are using eggs, just separate the whites and yolks and add the yolks to the batter.
With a beater, mix the egg whites by slowly increasing the speed until they form stiff peaks. Then, carefully fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Be sure to not overmix, as it will eliminate the air bubbles, which are essential for the recipe to rise.
Also, since egg whites are liquid, you will want to leave out some of your liquid content accordingly. Use 1 whipped egg white for 1 teaspoon of baking powder and continue adding more if needed.
9. Soda (Sprite or 7-Up)
For cakes and cupcakes, soda pop can be used for additional flavor and sweetness. You don’t have to use Sprite or 7-Up, but those work best because of their more neutral (but still prominent) flavors.
When using these, reduce your sugar content accordingly. Replace the liquid content in your recipe with soda pop.
10. Self-Rising Flour
While this is not an ideal baking powder substitute if you are currently out and looking for one in a pinch, it may be useful to buy for the future.
Self-rising flour is pre-mixed flour and leavening agent. Just replace the flour called for in the recipe with self-rising flour and disregard the baking soda called for.
10 BEST Baking Powder Substitutes
If you're baking and in a pinch, this list of baking powder substitutes will save the day!
Ingredients
- cream of tartar and baking soda
- lemon juice and baking soda
- buttermilk and baking soda
- vinegar and baking soda
- molasses and baking soda
- yogurt and baking soda
- club soda
- whipped egg whites
- soda
- self rising flour
Instructions
- Choose a baking powder substitute that best meets your needs.
- Replace the baking powder in your recipe using the amounts given in the post.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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