Are My Baking Soda and Baking Powder Too Old for Baking?

Heather Dessinger

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Are My Baking Soda and Baking Powder Too Old for Baking?

Is your oven an alternate universe? You know, a place where fluffy biscuits are sucked into a black hole and replaced with hockey pucks?

I love a good kitchen disaster story just as much as anyone, but I like fluffy biscuits more! If you feel the same way – and have eliminated the alternate universe theory – consider this:

What if it’s not your oven. What if it’s not the recipe. What if it’s not you. What if it’s your LEAVENING AGENT??

(((Dun Dun DUN!)))

That’s right, stale baking powder or baking soda – aka leavening agents – are often the culprit when baked goods come out feeling like bricks. Oh, and that little expiration date on the box? It may not be much help. Here’s why, and how to prevent it.

Are My Baking Soda and Baking Powder Too Old for Baking?

How To Know If Baking Powder & Baking Soda Are Expired

Baking powder and baking soda are leavening agents, “which are used in baking to cause doughs to rise. In the case of baking powder or baking soda, they do this via a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas. This gas then forms bubbles in the dough, causing it to rise. While the dough is cooking, these bubbles harden as the bread is baked.” (source)

The reaction usually occurs when the leavening agents are mixed with wet ingredients and heated. Unfortunately, they “lose their potency after a while, especially if they are stored in a warm place (like a kitchen!) or if the containers are not sealed tightly.” (source) Most expert bakers recommend that you replace them every six months, but then you may find that you bake with a dud batch every once in awhile.

If you’re whipping up something for a special event, here’s a simple test you may want to do ahead of time.

How To Test Baking Soda For Freshness

Add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice to a small amount of baking soda. If it bubbles up it’s still good. If it doesn’t, see the section on what to do with expired baking soda below.

How To Test Baking Powder For Freshness

Mix 1 teaspoon of baking powder with 1/3 cup of water. If it fizzes you’re in business.

What To Do With Expired Baking Soda

If you’ve got an expired box of baking soda (or three) in your pantry, don’t toss them! Here are 22 ways to use baking soda for cleaning, personal care and natural remedies.

Sources for this post:
https://www.thoughtco.com/test-baking-powder-for-freshness-607384

https://www.thespruceeats.com/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder-995111

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

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7 thoughts on “Are My Baking Soda and Baking Powder Too Old for Baking?”

  1. First of all, thank you so much for mentioning my blog post about DIY Vaseline & tinted lip balm. I really appreciate it 🙂
    Second of all – wow. So glad to have discovered your blog! I am becoming more and more obsessed with making my own beauty products at home. After seeing some of your recipes/formulas, I can’t wait to give them a try. Ok, gotta get back to browsing your blog 🙂 Thanks again.

    Reply
  2. I use baking soda in my bath. My sister’s pediatrician suggested it when she had diaper rash. I’ve heard from multiple sources that it’s great for cleaning out your energy, and i could vouch for that. plus it’s really relaxing

    Reply
  3. Hi, can’t wait to try out your coconut oil soap. But just wanted to comment, ask you if you were aware that commercial baking soda is processed with aluminum? It’s easy to find aluminum free baking powder, but the only aluminum free baking soda I’m aware of is Bob’s Red Mill.

    Reply