Does a change in altitude affect baking time or temperature?
I used to live at several thousand feet above sea level, but now I live only a few hundred feet above sea level. Will this affect the temperatures and times in my baking recipes (cakes, breads, etc)? If so, how? Does a change in altitude affect any other areas of cooking?
Best Answer
Usually this question goes the other way around (how to adjust recipes for high-altitude cooking)...
The main effect that altitude has on cooking times and temperatures is how it affects the boiling point of water. At higher altitudes, water begins boiling at a lower temperature, so anything boiling will not reach as high of a temperature, and often needs to be cooked longer.
Higher altitudes can also cause leavening to have a greater effect. You may need to add extra leavening (yeast, baking powder) to get the same amount of rise that you had at a higher altitude.
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Does baking time change with altitude?
At high altitudes: Air pressure is lower, so foods take longer to bake. Temperatures and/or bake times may need to be increased. Liquids evaporate faster, so amounts of flour, sugar and liquids may need to be changed to prevent batter that is too moist, dry or gummy.Does altitude affect oven temperature?
For example, if you are simmering a roast at 325\xb0F that would usually take two hours to cook at sea level, that same roast cooked at high altitudes at 325\xb0F would require 2\xbd hours of cook time. Increasing cook time does not apply to oven-roasted meat or poultry; oven temperatures remain unaffected in high altitudes.Why is Altitude A Big Deal When Baking?
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