While staying at my grandparents’ house last weekend, I was craving pancakes—until I opened the baking cupboard and found a jar of baking soda with a label from the early 2000s. Could it still work?

DEAR HELOISE: I understand that baking powder has a shelf life, and that it can go bad. Can you tell me how long it remains good? — Joe and Kay, via e-mail It does have a shelf life, and here’s how to ...

Dear Heloise: I have used your hint for testing yeast for several years and was wondering if there is a test for baking powder. -- Frances Altieri, Fort Pierce, Fla. There is an easy home check to be ...

Ensure your cakes rise every time by using a simple America’s Test Kitchen pantry test to see if your baking powder is still active.