How can you test baking powder to see if it still works?

To test if baking powder is still active, you can mix a small amount of it with a little bit of water. The baking powder should foam or bubble if it is still active, indicating that it will still produce carbon dioxide gas when heated and used in baking. If there is no reaction, then the baking powder has lost its potency and should be discarded.

Here are the steps to test baking powder:

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder with 1/4 cup of hot water.

2. Observe the mixture for a few seconds.

3. If the mixture bubbles or foams vigorously, the baking powder is still active.

4. If there is no reaction, or only a slight reaction, the baking powder is old and should be discarded.

Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda, an acid, and a drying agent. When mixed with water, the acid reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas is what causes baked goods to rise. If the baking powder is old, the acid may have reacted with the moisture in the air, rendering the baking powder useless.

It is important to test baking powder before using it in a recipe to ensure that it is still active. If you use old baking powder, your baked goods will not rise properly and will be dense and heavy.