How Long Does Baking Powder Last?

How long does baking powder last? The shelf life of baking powder depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date and how it is stored. Baking powder is a leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide when moistened. This produces air bubbles in baked goods which cause them to expand and become lighter while baking. Thus it is a key ingredient to making airy breads and cakes.

Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar and cornstarch and comes in three types: fast-acting, slow-acting and double-acting. Double acting is the most common which reacts twice, once when liquid is added to the mixture and then again when heat is introduced.

So, does baking powder expire or does baking powder go bad? When properly stored, the shelf life of baking power is actually Indefinite, but the useful shelf life past its best by date is approximately ...

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Baking Powder Expiration Date

(Opened/Unopened) Pantry
Past Printed Date
Baking Powder lasts for 1 Year

Beware that the product does last for a shorter period of time if it is stored in a humid environment, it must remain dry. But remember, like a lot of other baking products, it usually has a "best by date" and not a use by date or an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it for your baking needs after the best before date has lapsed.

How to tell if Baking Powder is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

The only way to tell if baking powder has gone bad is to do the test described in the next paragraph. If it fails the test then it has lost its useful shelf life. As long as baking powder is kept covered and remains dry, it will remain safe to use since the shelf life of baking powder is really indefinite as far as safety is concerned. But, as far as functionally is concerned it is usually deteriorated beyond functional use by the eatbydate stated above. If your baking powder has gone bad, check our baking powder substitute page for practical alternatives.

To test if baking powder has gone bad, put a teaspoon in a half cup of hot water. If it bubbles, bake away. If not, head to the store. It will not hurt you if it does not bubble, but your baked goods will not rise into light and fluffy concoctions when baked with baking powder that has gone bad.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Baking Powder to extend its shelf life?

Baking powder should be kept in a covered container in the a cool dark place (the pantry) away from moisture. If it gets wet, it will begin to stop doing its job. Double acting baking powder actually works once with the addition of liquid and then again with the addition of heat.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Baking Powder:

  • Ever get a loaf of bread that has huge holes? The baking powder (or other leavening agent) was not mixed thoroughly into the flour before baking which caused a clump of powder to explode in one spot!
  • How long is Baking Powder good for when prepared in a dish?

    How long does baking powder last? How long does butter last? Baking powder will not spoil in a dish, it just will not perform in the making of that dish if it has gone bad.

    What are our shelf life resources?

    In determining how long Baking Powder lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Baking Powder.

    *An important note about expiration dates...

    Although the Baking Powder shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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