recipe help - no baking powder

kunekune

I want to make Nigella's pear and chocolate cake.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chocolatepearpudding_87398.shtml

However, I don't have any baking powder. I have SR flour and I have bicarb of soda. Is the amount of baking powder she uses the amount that would be the equivalent of using SR flour, so then I just added the extra bit of bicarb? Hope someone knows!

Oh, and though I do have tinned pears like the recipe says, I also have some fresh ones. Any way of swapping them?

Penelope_Penguin

Only just seen this, so this reply may be too late I would try with just SR flour and the bicarb I've seen several chefs use plaing flour and baking powder, (rather than SR flour) and have no idea why

You could try poaching the pears lightly in water Do let us know how it turns out :T

Penny. x

jd87

Baking powder is just bicarbonate of soda with some acid added to activate it.

If you want to use bicarbonate of soda on it's own, you have to add the acid yourself. The pears probably have enough acid in to do the trick, but it might be an idea to add some lemon juice or a few drops of white vinegar to be sure.

Seakay

Baking powder is usually 2 of bicarbonate of soda to 1 of cream of tartar, but if you have SR flour then that should be enough on it's own, although a little bicarb or baking powder will provide "belt and braces"!

ixia

hi looking for a bit of advice was going to make blueberry muffins as i have blueberries that need using up but I don't have any baking powder. Is it possible to make them without it. Every recipe I have looked at says you have to use it. Thanks.

Penelope_Penguin

ixia wrote: »

hi looking for a bit of advice was going to make blueberry muffins as i have blueberries that need using up but I don't have any baking powder. Is it possible to make them without it. Every recipe I have looked at says you have to use it. Thanks.

You can make baking powder from bicarb and cream of tartar if you have them

Penelope_Penguin

Or if you have bicarb and buttermilk (or yoghurt, or even lemon juice) you could adapt this recipe

laloopi

Mix one part bicarbonate of soda to two parts of cream of tarter (if you have them)

laloopi

Or here's a blueberry muffin recipe with no baking powder http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/cooking-with-kids/blueberry-muffins-recipe

LondonDreamer

Does your recipe use plain flour? Depending on the ratio of baking powder to flour called for, you can probably get away with using self raising flour. Assuming you have some.

zippychick

ive merged this with a similar thread

thanks
Zip