Using Baking Soda + Buttermilk Instead of Baking Powder
Ratio
¼ tsp baking soda + ½ cup buttermilk per 1 tsp baking powder; reduce other liquid by ½ cup
Good — works well with minor differences
Recipe Adjustment Notes
The buttermilk supplies the acid. Excellent in pancakes, scones, and quick breads that already have a liquid to swap out.
The Science Behind This Swap
Lactic acid in buttermilk neutralises the soda to release CO2 — a single-acting reaction, so bake promptly.
Measurement Variance Note
For 1 cup references, this ingredient can vary by about 6% across brands and measuring methods (173g-195g per cup). For the most reliable substitution result, measure by weight and test a half batch first.
How Baking Soda + Buttermilk Compares for Baking Powder
Quality rating: good. The buttermilk supplies the acid. Excellent in pancakes, scones, and quick breads that already have a liquid to swap out.