“Use baking powder — there's no acid in this recipe.”
Usage Entry 1430 / 1605 60-second read
Baking soda vs. Baking powder
Pure sodium bicarbonate (needs an acid) versus a complete leavening blend (already has acid).
The comparisoni
“Use baking soda — there's no acid in this recipe. Wait, that's wrong: BAKING SODA needs acid. BAKING POWDER is self-acidifying.”
The ruleii
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SODA needs acid. POWDER doesn't.
BAKING SODA is sodium bicarbonate alone — needs an acid (buttermilk, vinegar, cocoa, lemon) to react. BAKING POWDER is baking soda + a dry acid + cornstarch — works on its own. Substituting one for the other ruins recipes.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Soda alone: add acid.