Greatest Baking Tip thus far

I have been baking since 1985 or earlier if I consider those attempts in helping mum made her cakes in my teens. But seriously, for the life of me, I never realised that I could make Self Raising Flour. I always thought Self Raising Flour is expensive and is a special combination of flour and some secret ingredients, always puzzled why its price is sometimes double of that of ordinary flour.

Until, one weekend, I needed Self Raising Flour to make cookies and I only had plain flour. Thanks to Google and I found it to be so easy and there are a few version to it. And as a bonus, I also learnt how to make Baking Powder, isn't life cool ?

How to make Self Raising Flour

Stir and Sift together all the ingredient and Presto you have self-raising flour ! 1 Cup of flour is about 110 grams.

American Version 

• Add 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoon of Baking Powder into 1 Cup of Plain Flour
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Normal Version

• Add 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder into 1 Cup of Plain Flour

Special Version for Chocolate Cakes (something heavy)

• Add 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder into 1 Cup of Plain Flour
• Add 1/4 teaspoon of Cream of Tartar

How to make Baking Powder

Baking powder is a raising agent that is commonly used in cake-making. It is made from an alkali, bicarbonate of soda, and an acid, cream of tartar, plus a filler like cornflour or rice flour which absorbs moisture.

The powder is activated when liquid is added, producing carbon dioxide and forming bubbles that cause the mixture to expand. For this reason, it is important to get your cake mixture into the oven quickly once the 'wet' ingredients have been added to the 'dry' ingredients.

Self-raising flour is made from plain flour combined with a small amount of baking powder.

Prepare it

• 1/2 teaspoon of Cream of Tartar
• 1 teaspoon of Soda Bicarbonate 

This will yield 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder

References :

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/baking-powder
http://southernfood.about.com/cs/breads/ht/self_rise_flour.htm
http://www.nigella.com/kitchen-queries/view/Self-Raising-Flour/3056