Whats the difference between self rising flour and plain flour?

The main difference between self-rising flour and plain flour is the addition of leavening agents.

Here's a breakdown:

Plain Flour:

* Basic flour: Made from finely ground wheat.

* No leavening agents: Contains no baking powder or other ingredients to make it rise.

* Versatile: Can be used for a wide range of recipes, from cakes and cookies to sauces and bread.

* Requires additional leavening: You'll need to add baking powder, baking soda, or yeast to recipes using plain flour to make them rise.

Self-Rising Flour:

* Pre-leavened flour: Contains both baking powder and salt, already mixed in.

* Convenience: Makes baking easier and faster, as you don't need to add separate leavening agents.

* Limited versatility: Primarily used for quick breads, biscuits, and pancakes.

* Can be substituted for plain flour: However, you'll need to adjust the amount of leavening agents in your recipe, as self-rising flour already contains them.

In a nutshell:

* Plain flour: Basic, needs additional leavening.

* Self-rising flour: Pre-leavened, convenient for quick breads, but not as versatile.

Important Note: If substituting self-rising flour for plain flour, remember to adjust the amount of baking powder and salt in your recipe. You'll also need to make sure the recipe doesn't call for other ingredients like yeast, which would conflict with the pre-existing leavening agents in self-rising flour.