What Is Baking powder and How Can I Use It?
Baking powder is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 5,283 recipes to get you started.
What is baking powder?
Baking powder is generally just baking soda mixed with an acid, and a number of kitchen acids may be mixed with baking soda to simulate commercial blends of baking powder.
Vinegar (dilute acetic acid), especially white vinegar, is also a common acidifier in baking; for example, many heirloom chocolate cake recipes call for a tablespoon or two of vinegar.
Where a recipe already uses buttermilk or yoghurt, baking soda can be used without cream of tartar (or with less).
Alternatively, lemon juice can be substituted for some of the liquid in the recipe, to provide the required acidity to activate the baking soda.
In China, a small amount of powdered coal is sometimes added to baking soda to simulate baking powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tsp (5g)Where found
Baking powder is usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Baking powder is a member of the Baked Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does baking powder weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 5 grams |
| ½ teaspoon | 2 grams |
Related
Baked Products
| In Chinese: | 发酵粉 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | levure | |
| en español: | levadura en polvo |
Recipes using baking powder
There are 5283 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Very P-Nutty Muffins
Peanut butter banana muffins with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a swirl of sour cream for extra-tender crumb. Elvis-inspired snack muffins, freezer-friendly, ready in under an hour.
Pumpkin Biscuits (Lacto)
Savory pumpkin biscuits with whole wheat, wheat germ, bran, and a clever clove of garlic to balance the sweetness. Drop biscuits with a spoonbread interior, no butter or eggs needed.
Jello Any-Fruit Cake
A soft cake bottom, with a fruit filled middle topped with a tantalizing cinnamon topping. Learning how to make Jello fruit cake that use any fruit you have on hand including summery rhubarb with strawberry gelatin.
Easy Christmas Cutout Cookies
These Christmas cutout cookies are so easy for you and your kids to make together, and they taste so yummy too!
Graham Wafers
These homemade graham wafers are crisp, lightly sweet, and perfect for snacking, crushing into crumbs for pie crusts, or pairing with spreads. Made with wholesome graham flour and a touch of vanilla, they bake up golden and delicious in just minutes.
White Chocolate Scones
White chocolate scones with heavy cream, cold butter, and generous chunks of white chocolate that go soft and creamy in the oven. Flaky, layered, and tender from keeping the butter cold.
Kale & Two Cheese Scones
Craving a breakfast treat that's hearty, cheesy, and not overly sweet. These kale and cheese scones are your new best friend. Inspired by the cozy vibes of an American bakery, we've packed them with tender kale, sharp cheddar, nutty Parmessan, and a hint of plump raisins for a subtle sweetness that balances the savory kick. A generous grind of black pepper adds a spicy edge, making these perfect for brunch, snacks, or even alongside soup.
Persian Swiss Chard & Dill Frittata
Get ready to whip up a vibrant, herb-packed dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any meal of the day! This Persian-inspired frittata is a fresh twist on the classic omelet, blending tender Swiss chard, fragrant dill, and zesty scallions into a fluffy, golden masterpiece. Baked to perfection, it’s easy to make and even easier to love. Serve it with warm flatbread, a sprinkle of feta, or a side of crisp veggies for a delightful meal. Let’s dive into this green goodness!
Tom's Favourite Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Chocolate chip pancakes from scratch with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Fluffy, kid-approved breakfast that hits the table in 30 minutes flat.
Favourite Pineapple Cake
Eggless pineapple cake made with sweetened condensed milk for a soft, moist crumb, flavored with pineapple essence and crushed pineapple, then finished with pineapple icing. A bakery-style cake with no eggs.
Frosted Rich Brownies
Frosted rich brownies: low-fat brownies built on evaporated and powdered skim milk instead of butter, then crowned with a coffee-spiked cocoa frosting. Deeply chocolate without the heaviness.
Buttermilk Waffles
Buttermilk waffles with chopped cashews folded into the batter and a quick fresh blueberry compote spooned over top. Light, crisp, and ready for weekend brunch in under 25 minutes.
Naan #3
Quick naan skips the yeast in favor of baking powder and soda for a faster, eggy Indian flatbread shaped into teardrops and baked hot. Soft, pliable, ready for any curry.
Mom's Pancakes
Fluffy homemade pancakes with golden-brown edges and tender centers, ready in just 15 minutes. Simple pantry staples transform into a weekend breakfast tradition kids will request every Saturday morning.
Chewy Coco brownies
Chewy cocoa brownies made from scratch with a sugar substitute, so they're lower in sugar but still rich, fudgy, and chocolatey. A simple one-bowl brownie built on cocoa powder, no melting.
Uncle's Favorite Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry muffins where half the berries get mashed into the batter for purple swirls and double the fruit flavor. Sugar-crusted tops, bakery-style domes.
Old-Style Wheat Biscuits
Old-style wheat biscuits: tender, fluffy whole-wheat biscuits made with canola oil and a quick buttermilk substitute. A homestyle baked good ready in 30 minutes flat.
Pancakes
Classic buttermilk-style pancakes with crispy edges and a tender crumb. This foolproof recipe uses the well method for lump-free batter and yields six generous servings of diner-quality breakfast.
Cocoa Layer Cake
A simple, one-bowl cocoa layer cake that comes together in minutes and bakes into two tender 9-inch layers. Rich chocolate flavor without fuss—perfect for beginners.
Breakfast Pancakes
Breakfast pancakes made cloud-fluffy by separating the eggs and folding stiffly whipped whites into the batter. The technique that delivers diner-style pillowy stacks at home in 40 minutes.
Gloria's Best Gingerbread Cookies
Soft, warmly spiced gingerbread cookies made with molasses, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Roll and cut into festive shapes for Christmas decorating with simple icing.
Basic Breakfast Pancakes
Basic homemade breakfast pancakes from scratch with pantry staples, no boxed mix needed. The secret is a barely-stirred lumpy batter and a screaming-hot griddle for fluffy, golden flapjacks every time.
Buttermilk Waffles with Raspberry Sauce
Buttermilk waffles with raspberry sauce trade syrup for a bright purple-red puree spiked with orange zest. The tang of buttermilk and lift from baking powder give crisp-edged waffles a fluffy interior.
