URGENT - baking powder overdue

[Mum2SweetCs]

HI All,

My first attempt at making biscuits ... I put in the baking powder and am cooking the biscuits in the oven when i realised the baking powder is OVERDUE!!! it was overdue since Apr. (well best before date)

Is it okay to still eat the biscuits or should i throw them out?

thanks!

[Astrid]

They should be ok, it maybe that they wont rise as much as they should. I realised the other day that my baking powder was out of date, but thankfully it was still working fine.

[ss_storm]

yeah they will still be fine to eat, they just might be a bit flat! much like self-raising flour, it tends to become 'inactive' after a period of time. there is a way to test if it is still working ok, put some in some liquid (cant remember what you put it in!) and if it fizzes it's still good, but if there's nothing it's time to get some new stuff

[CrazyLady]

I think if you put it in vinegar but not 100% sure.

[SugarDust]

My mum keeps telling me this rule -

"Best before" can still be used after the date printed
"Use By" needs to be used by the date printed

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks Ladies!!!

The biscuits turned out great!

So the baking powder was still okay.

Another question, what does bicarb soda do in cooking??!?!? Always wondered that! LOL

[Astrid]

Pretty much the same thing, it is a component of baking powder. Wikipedia has some good info on it.