What to use instead of 1 tsp baking powder
1
¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar
Mix just before using; it is a single-acting powder, so bake soon after mixing.
Best for: Cakes, muffins, biscuits
2
¼ tsp baking soda + ½ cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
Reduce other liquid in the recipe by ½ cup.
Best for: Pancakes, quick breads
Chef's tipCheck old baking powder by stirring ½ tsp into hot water. If it doesn't fizz hard, replace it.
Substituting in baking
Baking is chemistry, so swaps work best when you change one ingredient at a time and keep everything else exactly as written. Measure the substitute carefully, ideally by weight, and expect small differences in texture or browning. If a bake really matters, such as a birthday cake, try the swap in a half batch first.
Need more or less than 1 tsp baking powder? Scale the swap the same way as the original amount, or paste your recipe into the recipe converter to scale everything at once.
