Epic Fail with Leftover Batter

A couple days ago I made blueberry muffins (yummy) but actually what day was it?? I suddenly had too few muffin cups and not enough time to bake the rest, so I refrigerated the batter. Yup, it's been at least two days ... could it possibly be three?? Anyway, tried baking that batter today and it's just not right. It's dough-y and not cooking through.
I searched on here and found an old thread about preparing batter the day before or else freezing it ... refrigerating it for a few days seems to be not a good idea. Such a shame. Does anyone know the baking chemistry 'rule' ... maybe bake within 12 or 24 hours or else freeze it. Something like that?

If it has baking powder or baking soda in it, you have to use it for freeze it because the leavening agent will be used up and it won't rise. I don't know a rule but know this is what happens.

Baking soda, you have to use immediately or freeze immediately.
Baking powder, double acting or "magic" as we call it here, will last longer, because it reacts to heat, but that's just a hour or two.
You could keep the batter and add the baking powder before you cook it, but the muffins will still turn out more rubbery than usual because the extra mixing will bring out the gluten.

thanks

I have a recipe for bran muffin batter that is good held in the refrigerator for several days so I don't think there is a rule. I have not made those muffins for a few years but as I recall they were made with baking soda.

Silverspoon said:

I have a recipe for bran muffin batter that is good held in the refrigerator for several days so I don't think there is a rule. I have not made those muffins for a few years but as I recall they were made with baking soda..

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Have used a similar one. You can keep the batter for quite a while and it still works, so you can make a large amount. I'll have to make it again and try to figure out what makes it different.

I had a recipe that the batter lasted in the fridge for few days. Will try to remember to look for it tomorrow.
I forgot to look for it - but remembered it is on here - Muffins Worth Getting Up For - it is my version of the Morning Glory Muffin. If kept sealed after each batch, it will keep for a couple weeks. Thanks for the reminder. It makes a huge amount of batter.
I have a military guy coming Fri-Sat (I hated having to tell him it was not going to be a freebie - but I gave him an extra 5% off (20%) for it), then one couple (freebie) checks in Sunday so can use it for Monday. The other couple checking in Monday is GF. BUT I have committed (someone needs to commit ME) to offering a tour on Small Business Saturday and can use the rest of the batter for that. Woohoo - one batter nails it!