Think of plain flour as a blank canvas. Self-raising flour is a canvas with a built-in boilerplate sketch. By adding your own leavening, you are painting exactly what you want.
Here’s where it gets fun: you can customize the lift. Want a super tall, airy cake? Add a tiny bit more baking powder. Want a denser, chewier scone? Use a little less. Pre-made flour won’t let you play like that.
It’s like choosing between a standard rental car and a stick shift. One is fine, but the other gives you a feel for the road. You are in the driver’s seat now.
What About the Salt?
You might wonder, “Why salt?” That little pinch isn’t just for taste. It strengthens the gluten structure of your flour. Think of it as the glue that holds your fluffy cloud together.
Without it, your cake might collapse. With it, you get a beautiful, tall structure. Small details, big difference.
