Okay, fine. You’re out of both. Channel your inner MacGyver. For every teaspoon of baking powder, you can use a mix of ¼ teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon cream of tartar (plus a touch of cornstarch to buffer moisture). It sounds complicated, but it’s actually a classic DIY method that pre-dates commercial baking powder. You’re basically a Victorian-era baker now, and honestly? That’s a vibe.
But here’s the catch: Baking soda needs an acid to activate. So if you go this route, make sure your recipe includes buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, or vinegar. Otherwise, your cake will taste like a science experiment gone wrong. Remember the old wives’ tale? “A pinch of soda, a splash of sour milk—a biscuit that makes your grandmother weep with joy.” (Okay, I made that up, but it feels true.)