Baking Powder

Asked by VirginiaGentleman. Answered on 14th July 2016

Full question

Does it really make a difference as to whether you use single- or double-acting baking powder, and, if so, how? If I cannot find a single-acting powder (like Dr. Oetker's) is there a way to compensate? I am in the U.S.

Our answer

Dr Oetker's developed the first pre-measured baking powder sachets in Germany (known as "Backin") and this is a single acting powder. However they also make a double acting powder ("Nona") and as they took over the Supercook brand in the UK they may have adopted the Supercook baking powder formula.

We have however tested most of Nigella's baking recipes with US ingredients and we have not found a noticeable difference between the results from the UK and US baking powders so you shoud be able to use a locally-bought baking powder. Some people prefer to use an aluminum-free baking powder and we have used both Davis and Rumford baking powders in the past. The quantities used will be the same as for the UK baking powder.