What is baking powder?
Baking powder is a chemical leavener that contains baking soda, a weak acid and a moisture absorber, typically cornstarch, the latter of which keeps the soda and acid dry and separate, preventing them from reacting prematurely. When combined with liquid and heat in a recipe, the baking powder produces a carbon dioxide gas which helps a dough or batter rise, ensuring that cakes, muffins, pancakes and doughnuts have a light, fluffy texture.
How to replace it
Given that baking powder includes baking soda and an acid, that’s exactly what you need when substituting it. For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder, you’ll therefore need ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Don’t mix them together, however. Add the baking soda to your dry ingredients and the vinegar to your wet ingredients, and the chemical reaction will occur when dry and wet are combined.
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