BBC

Baking powder recipes

Baking powder

A raising agent used in cakes, biscuits and breads. Commercial baking powder contains bicarbonate of soda and tartaric acid (with a dried starch or flour to absorb any moisture during storage). When these chemicals become moist and warm they react and give off carbon dioxide, which causes foods to rise.

Recipes using baking powder

Main course

Light meals & snacks

Brunch

Starters & nibbles

Desserts

Cakes and baking

Drinks and cocktails

See all recipes using baking powder

Storage

Bicarbonate of soda has a limited shelf life so check the sell-by date when using it; otherwise your cakes might literally be a flop!

Preparation

You can make your own baking powder by combining 15ml/1tbsp bicarbonate of soda with 30ml/2tbsp cream of tartar. Measure carefully as too much or too little can upset a recipe’s balance.

On this page

Quick recipe finder

Type the ingredients you want to use, then click Go. For better results you can use quotation marks around phrases (e.g. "chicken breast"). Alternatively you can search by chef, programme, cuisine, diet, or dish (e.g. Lasagne).