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Have you ever started making a batch of biscuits, pancakes, or muffins only to discover that you're completely out of baking powder? Don't worry—you may already have everything you need to make a quick batch of homemade baking powder right in your pantry.

Making your own baking powder takes less than a minute and requires just two basic ingredients: baking soda and cream of tartar. If you want to make a larger batch to keep in the pantry, you can also add cornstarch to help prevent clumping and moisture buildup.

This easy kitchen trick is one of those recipes that's worth keeping tucked away for baking emergencies!

What Is Baking Powder?

Baking powder is a leavening agent used to help baked goods rise. When baking powder comes into contact with liquid, it creates carbon dioxide bubbles. Those little bubbles expand during baking, giving cakes, biscuits, muffins, pancakes, and other baked goods their light and fluffy texture.

Most store-bought baking powder is double-acting, meaning it reacts once when it gets wet and again when exposed to heat.

Homemade baking powder made with baking soda and cream of tartar is single-acting, so you'll want to get your recipe into the oven fairly quickly after mixing the wet and dry ingredients together.

Homemade Baking Powder Ingredients

You only need two ingredients to make baking powder from scratch:

Cream of tartar: This acidic powder reacts with the baking soda to create the leavening action.

Baking soda: Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is the alkaline ingredient needed for the reaction.

For longer storage, you can also add cornstarch. It helps absorb moisture and keeps the ingredients from reacting prematurely.

How to Make Homemade Baking Powder

The basic ratio for homemade baking powder is incredibly simple:

2 parts cream of tartar + 1 part baking soda

For a small batch, combine:

• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Whisk the two ingredients together thoroughly, and your homemade baking powder is ready to use.

This recipe makes 1 tablespoon of baking powder.

Use it exactly as you would store-bought baking powder in your favorite recipes.

How to Make Baking Powder for Storage

If you want to make a larger amount to keep on hand, adding cornstarch is helpful.

Combine:

• 1/4 cup cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Whisk everything together until evenly combined, then transfer the mixture to an airtight container.

Be sure to label the container so you don't accidentally confuse your homemade baking powder with baking soda!

Can You Make Baking Powder Without Cornstarch?

Absolutely.

Cornstarch isn't what makes the baking powder work. It's simply added to help absorb moisture and prevent the ingredients from reacting while they're sitting in your pantry.

If you're making just enough baking powder for the recipe you're working on, there's no need to add cornstarch at all.

Simply mix 2 teaspoons cream of tartar with 1 teaspoon baking soda and use it immediately.

How Much Homemade Baking Powder Should I Use?

Homemade baking powder can generally be substituted 1:1 for baking powder in a recipe.

So if your recipe calls for:

1 teaspoon baking powder: use 1 teaspoon homemade baking powder.

1 tablespoon baking powder: use 1 tablespoon homemade baking powder.

Because homemade baking powder is single-acting, try not to let your batter or dough sit around for too long before baking.

How to Tell If Baking Powder Is Still Good

Not sure whether your baking powder is still active? There's an easy way to test it.

Place about 1/2 teaspoon baking powder in a small bowl or cup and pour a little hot water over it.

It should immediately begin bubbling and fizzing.

If there's very little reaction, your baking powder has likely lost some of its leavening power and should be replaced.

Homemade Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

Baking powder and baking soda aren't interchangeable on their own.

Baking soda needs an acidic ingredient—such as buttermilk, lemon juice, yogurt, vinegar, or cream of tartar—to create the chemical reaction that helps baked goods rise.

Baking powder already contains both the alkaline ingredient and the acid needed for that reaction.

That's why combining baking soda with cream of tartar creates an easy homemade substitute for baking powder.

Recipes That Use Baking Powder

Once you know how easy it is to make your own baking powder, you'll never have to abandon a baking project because the can in the pantry is empty.

Use homemade baking powder in recipes like:

• Homemade biscuits
• Pancakes and waffles
• Muffins
• Scones
• Quick breads
• Cakes and cupcakes
• Cornbread
• Cookies

Just remember that because this homemade version starts reacting as soon as liquid is added, you'll get the best results when you mix your batter and bake it right away.

Tips for the Best Homemade Baking Powder

Make it fresh when possible. Since it takes less than a minute, making only what you need gives you the best leavening power.

Check your baking soda. Fresh ingredients will give you better results.

Whisk thoroughly. You want the cream of tartar and baking soda evenly distributed.

Keep it dry. Moisture can activate the ingredients, so always use a completely dry measuring spoon.

Store it airtight. If you're making a larger batch, keep it in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry pantry.

Don't wait to bake. Homemade baking powder is single-acting, so get your batter or dough into the oven soon after adding the liquid ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to make homemade baking powder is one of those simple kitchen tricks that can save the day when you're halfway through a recipe.

All you need is baking soda and cream of tartar, and in less than a minute you'll have a perfectly usable baking powder substitute. Make just enough for today's batch of biscuits or mix up a larger amount with cornstarch to keep in your pantry.

It's easy, inexpensive, and one more reason you don't have to make an emergency trip to the grocery store in the middle of baking!

Check Out These Recipes for More Homemade Pantry Staples

• Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
• How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix
• How to Make Homemade Pasta