If you accidentally add too much baking soda to your carrot cake you can fix it by scooping the excess out of the dry mix, neutralising the acid with lemon juice, or increase the volume of the other ingredients.
This article will explore the top 3 things that will happen to your carrot cake if you add too much baking soda and some easy ways to fix it.
What happens if you add too much baking soda to carrot cake
Here are the top 3 things you will notice if you add and cook a carrot cake with too much baking soda.
1. It will taste bitter
If you add too much baking soda you might be able to taste a bitter aftertaste in your carrot cake. Baking soda is an alkaline ingredient that will react with the acidic ingredients in your cake. If there is too much added some will remain in the cake which you will be able to taste.
2. Your carrot cake can rise too much and collapse
The strange thing about adding too much baking soda is that it causes the cake to rise a lot but it will collapse back down. The flour will not be able to support the large air pockets created by the extra baking soda and you will actually get a flatter cake rather than a higher one.
3. It can form bubbles on the top
Adding too much baking soda can cause a strange affect on the top of your cake. As the excess baking soda bubbles up and releases gas this can create extra air bubbles on top of the cake.
While the bubbles will pop in the oven, they can leave a strange uneven texture on the top of the cake.
3 Ways to fix too much baking soda in carrot cake
Check out my top 3 ways to fix too much baking soda in carrot cake.
1. Scoop out the baking soda before you mix it through
If you have just added the baking soda on top of the dry ingredients and suddenly realised that you have added too much you can save it. It is best to scoop out the whole lot with a spoon and remeasure.
Try to avoid scooping out too much of the flour and other dry ingredients. Removing the extra baking soda will give you a chance to measure it accurately again.
2. Add an acid
Another way to fix the problem if you have added too much baking soda to carrot cake is to add an acid. The acid will react with the baking soda neutralising the excess and reduce its action in the cake.
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to your mix. This will be a small enough amount so you can’t taste it but it will reduce the action of the baking soda as the cake cooks.
3. Increase the proportion of other ingredients
Another way to fix a cake mix with too much baking soda is to adjust the amount of other ingredients. You will need to add extra ingredients in proportion to the amount of extra baking soda.
So if you have doubled the baking soda you will need to double the other ingredients. Remember to seperate out the mixture into 2 baking tins so that it will all fit.
If you accidentally add too much carrot, check out my article for ways to fix it: How to fix too much carrot in carrot cake? | 5 Easy ways
How to avoid adding too much baking soda to carrot cake
Here are my easy tips to avoid adding too much baking soda to your carrot cake.
1. Sift the baking soda
One of the main reasons why too much baking soda is added into cake is because of clumps. Baking soda can clump together in your cupboard in humid weather. This can make it difficult to measure and you can easily add too much.
To avoid this try pushing it through a sieve first. You can sieve the mixture into another airtight container to help to reduce the humidity. That way the baking soda will be lose, will spread evenly through the cake and it will be easier to measure.
2. Use a measuring spoon rather than a teaspoon
Another great way to make sure you are adding the right amount of baking soda is to use a measuring spoon rather than a regular teaspoon. Measuring spoons will be flat on the top which makes it easier to add an accurate amount.
Fill the spoon with baking soda and then flatten the top with a butter knife. This will give you exactly the right amount, whether it is 1/4, 1/2 or a whole teaspoon measure.
3. Mix the dry ingredients first
Another way to avoid adding too much baking soda is to measure out the dry and wet ingredients separately. This means that if you do add something that is incorrect, you won’t hav ruined the whole mixture.
As soon as you realise you can start again with the dry ingredients without wasting the wet ingredients like eggs, oil or carrot.
If you want a more extravagant carrot cake, check out this recipe.
How to fix carrot cake with too much baking soda | Summary
If you add too much baking soda to carrot cake before baking all is not lost. You can scoop it out before you mix it, you can add enough other ingredients to balance it out or add an acid to neutralize some of the baking soda. Either way, you can save your cake and avoid the bitter aftertaste.
Happy cooking.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.