Recipes

[coffee drinker]

Does baking powder go bad?  I made Christmas cookies that called for bp only, no baking soda.  The cookies had an "off" taste sort of bitter and left a funny taste in your mouth.  I decided to check my recipes to see if they called for BP, BS or both.  These recipes in particular called for only BP only.  Checked another recipe I often make and that too called for BP only.  I don't think it's the flour either since I'm using a relatively new bag.  It's not the first time trying these particular recipes and I believe the BP is the culprit.  I am going to throw out the BP and buy new, but wondered if it does go bad.  What a shame because these cookies are so dang good.  

[Desertdi]

Yes.    There should be an exp date on the can.   Believe it!

[fthunt]

I believe BP and BS absorbs moisture like crazy .....especially if it's been opened and just sits on a shelf.

Fresh is best...............

[Love my grandkids]

@coffee drinker Yes it can. Look for the expiration date!  I found out the hard way eons ago.

[retiredatlast]

If baking powder is too old, it will not act as a leavening agent in your baked goods.  You can test the baking powder by puting some in some warm water and see if it bubbles up.  If not, toss it.  It should also have an expiration date on the can, as noted in the post above.

[Mindy D]

@coffee drinker @Yes, yes, yes. 

[ECBG]

I don't even freeze bp.  I buy it fresh.

[Sooner]

I pitch the baking powder every 6 months.  I am not going to skimp on that to save a dollar or two and have something not rise.  Just not worth it!

So BP and BS get replaced.

[coffee drinker]

Thank you all so much for your quick replies.  I have the bad habit of transferring any item in a box or tin to a "better" container.  The expiration date on the BP container is 2019, but I'm sure it's a plastic PB container that I've be using/reusing.  It will get tossed and NEW will be bought as soon as I get to the grocery store.  Tough way to learn a lesson.  Thank you again.

Edited to add -- any products I've baked using this BP came out fine, everything rose as usual.  The only problem was the off taste.  Thought it was me.  Maybe it is. 

[jackthebear]

---

@coffee drinker wrote:

Does baking powder go bad?  I made Christmas cookies that called for bp only, no baking soda.  The cookies had an "off" taste sort of bitter and left a funny taste in your mouth.  I decided to check my recipes to see if they called for BP, BS or both.  These recipes in particular called for only BP only.  Checked another recipe I often make and that too called for BP only.  I don't think it's the flour either since I'm using a relatively new bag.  It's not the first time trying these particular recipes and I believe the BP is the culprit.  I am going to throw out the BP and buy new, but wondered if it does go bad.  What a shame because these cookies are so dang good.  

---

it loses it's power after a while, I date mine