To make baking powder at home, you need just a few simple ingredients: baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), cream of tartar, and optionally cornstarch or arrowroot powder to extend shelf life.
Basic Homemade Baking Powder Recipe
- For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder required, mix:
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
This mixture acts as a single-acting baking powder, so it should be used immediately after mixing to get the best rise in your baked goods
Optional for Storage
- Add ¼ teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder per teaspoon of baking powder to prevent clumping and extend shelf life. This makes the baking powder more stable for storage up to about a month
How to Use
- Add the homemade baking powder last to your batter, mix gently to preserve bubbles, and bake promptly to maximize leavening effect
Alternative Acid Sources
If you don't have cream of tartar, you can substitute the acid component with other acidic ingredients like buttermilk or lemon juice combined with baking soda, but these are not shelf-stable and should be used immediately
Summary Table
Ingredient| Amount per 1 tsp baking powder| Purpose
---|---|---
Cream of tartar| ½ teaspoon| Acid to activate baking soda
Baking soda| ¼ teaspoon| Base that produces CO2 bubbles
Cornstarch/Arrowroot| ¼ teaspoon (optional)| Prevents clumping, extends shelf
life
This simple homemade baking powder works well for cakes, quick breads, pancakes, and other baked goods that require leavening but no additional acidic ingredients in the recipe
. In essence, mix cream of tartar and baking soda in the right ratio, add starch if storing, and use immediately for best results
