Baking Powders: Double Acting vs Aluminum-Free

[Richard Kilgore]

Can you simply subsitute one for the other? I have Rumsford; any problem with using it in a cake recipe calling for double acting baking powder?

[beccaboo]

I usually use Rumsford (right now I have a thing of Royal to use up, then I'm going back to Rumsford), and I just use the same amount as the recipe says and it always works fine.

[Richard Kilgore]

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure.

[NulloModo]

Isn't Rumsford double-acting? I was under the impression that anything you buy at the grocery store is double-acting...

[andiesenji]

All "Baking Powders" are now double-acting as they include both the acid and alkaline components which are activated by a liquid.

A single-acting ingredient would be baking "soda" which needs to be combined with an acid

(such as buttermilk or chocolate) to get the desired reaction.

[beccaboo]

All "Baking Powders" are now double-acting as they include both the acid and alkaline components which are activated by a liquid. 

A single-acting ingredient would be baking "soda" which needs to be combined with an acid

(such as buttermilk or chocolate) to get the desired reaction.

←

I think single-acting baking powders have baking soda plus an acid like cream of tartar which reacts with the soda when liquid is added, and double-acting baking powders have two acids--one that reacts when wet, and another slower-acting one like alum that releases gas when heated.

[Richard Kilgore]

The plot thickens. Rumsford is alum free.

[DiH]

A good explanation here... Rumford

Di