First, let's see what baking soda and baking powder really are, and what are their role in baking.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a salty, alkaline chemical compound, and it's the common name used for sodium bicarbonate. In fact, baking soda's only ingredient is sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is usually used in recipes that have acid ingredients that it can react to, such as citrus juice, yogurt, vinegar, cream of tartar. You will find it in many cookie recipes and quick bread.Baking soda can leaven a delicious baked good when it's exposed to heat. But don't forget that it has to be neutralized with an acid! Otherwise, your baked good will have a metallic aftertaste.
Baking soda is not a leaving agent as per say. It's mostly a chemical compound which reacts to some liquids it comes into contact with (acid liquids).
Make sure you check out these amazing 22 Cleaning, Health and Beauty Hacks with Baking Soda.
Baking powder
Baking powder consists of three ingredients:
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| Baking Powder |
- an acid (most common is cream of tartar)
- a base (baking soda)
- a filler (usually cornstarch)
Baking powder is a leavening agent used to soften the texture of our baked goods, and also make them more voluminous.
You can find baking powder in most cake recipes, in muffins, pastries, and pies.
Can you substitute baking soda with baking powder?
Substituting in a recipe baking soda with baking powder can be tricky, and I wouldn't recommend it.
Baking soda is very strong. It's about 3x stronger than baking powder. If you put more baking soda in a recipe, that doesn't mean that your baked good will be perfect. You can try and add more acid to the recipe, but it takes lots of experience and lots of failures until you find the perfect combination.
You can risk having leftover baking soda in your baked good. A metallic and soapy taste is not what one can desire.
Can you substitute baking powder with baking soda?
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| Baking Soda |
I can really recommend just simply following the recipe. You really have to be careful using baking soda and baking powder. Why is that? Because if you use the wrong amount, or choose to alter the recipe by substituting one with another, you can significantly alter your baked good.
Don't forget that both baking soda and baking powder have an expiration date. No matter what you will use, make sure that it's not expired, and that it was properly stored!
I really hope I was able to help you with this Baking Soda vs Baking Powder topic. You need to remember that they're completely different things and that they are used in different recipes, with different ingredients.
If you are a beginner in the baking area, remember that baking requires practice and willingness to learn. And also some failures from time to time. Happy baking everyone! 😃
Baking is all about chemistry. If you can understand basic chemistry, you will be a great baker. I think baking is so good for kids to learn for this exact reason.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like I should have known the difference in compounds, but I didn't. I did however know you shouldn't substitute one for the other.
ReplyDeleteBaking is a science and one has to use the right items or it will fail. I have started a recipe before and have not had baking powder so I had to run to the store.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I really didn't understand the difference. I know I have both of them in the house!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post on the differences, to be honest while I knew there was a difference I wasn't really up on what those were! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is great!! I’ve never actually thought about the difference - and now I know
ReplyDeleteReally informative post about baking powder and baking soda! Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI remember wondering years ago. It's nice that people have the internet now to find these answers out quickly. I bet you get a lot of hits on this post.
ReplyDeleteI was always confused between baking powder and baking soda. Baking soda seems more stronger to me and now you cleared my concept.
ReplyDeleteI actually know a little about cooking and I must say I am learning. Good thing I was able to stumble now at your site, I learned new today. I didn't know this before. Now, I know their difference already.
ReplyDeleteI use both in baking although baking power more often! I use baking soda for cleaning as well! So useful!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great explanation. I've never known what the difference between the two was.
ReplyDeleteOOH, I'm glad I read this! I was curious about the differences and substitutions!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely two baking essentials in the kitchen! I never tried substituting them but it's good to know it's best not to.
ReplyDeleteI always got confused between these two. Thanks for sharing and clearing my doubts.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't known the difference between baking soda and baking powder except the fact that baking soda is stronger.
ReplyDeleteOMG- Thank you for listing the difference between baking powder and soda. Love it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearly explaining the difference between baking soda and baking powder.I learnt a lot from this post.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post - it is always good to be reminded of the differences between to products. So you know the right time to use them.
ReplyDeleteI was actually still confused about the two as much as I am good at using them when a recipe asks for it. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for explaining the difference between the two - this is a very useful and informative post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for outlining the differences and saying that they are not to be substituted for one another. This is very helpful!
ReplyDeleteI always used to mix the two up but I learned over the years what they are each used for.
ReplyDeleteYou have an in-depth knowledge about this topic my friend. This shows in your work loud and clear.
ReplyDeleteYou know I am aware they are different but wasnt conscious on how different they are. I usually use baking soda for different holistic methods.
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ReplyDeleteI use baking powder both for cooking, from air to desserts and cakes, and for cleaning ... degrease that is a marvel!
I recently started baking and I always use baking powder, but I had no idea about the difference between soda and baking powder. Thank you so much for sharing this informative blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat explanation. Baking powder contains baking soda. It is a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar (a dry acid), and sometimes cornstarch. These days, most baking powder sold is double acting. ... You can still use baking powder as the leavening agent in recipes calling for an acidic ingredient.
ReplyDeleteOh I remember when I first started to bake. I mixed the two and ended up with a mess of a cake. The taste was something I still can't forget.
ReplyDeleteI have never really of the difference between baking powder and baking soda. Thanks clearing that up for me.
ReplyDeleteI always thought they were one & the same thing, just people liked to call it their own way, LOL. You've explained the difference so clearly that I'm always going to remember it & maybe even show off in a discussion with my friends who really like to cook :)
ReplyDelete- Nandita
This really useful post I am going to save this. Pin it for later use.
ReplyDeleteBaking is such a precise thing when it comes to making things right. Even a little deviation can affect what you are making. I agree with you I wouldn't substitute one for the other while baking.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very helpful guide to know the differences. I always have baking soda on hand in the fridge and for kitchen fires.
ReplyDeleteI'm using both. Never as substitutes but mostly together but I've never known what's the difference between them
ReplyDeleteI love baking easy cakes that we can just eat for snacks at home. I am not for complicated designer cakes, I can just buy them at the cake shop. :)
ReplyDeleteI love baking cakes and I enjoy doing them from scratch every once in awhile. I never really knew the difference between baking soda and powder, and now I do. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI never knew the difference before this. All I knew was that we used baking soda to clean our old, rented house after a beetle infestation. It was very strong and bubbled when we added it to lemon juice etc.
ReplyDeleteI am always mixing those two up. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, i never knew the difference between baking soda and baking powder, i thought they're the same lol. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great explanation of the difference between baking powder and baking soda. I had been cooking for many years before I finally learned exactly what the differences were. It rocked my cooking world once I knew and could use that info more productively!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful, didn´t even know there is a difference ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm starting to explore baking at home and this is one subject I never thought about.
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered what the difference between the two was. I did replace one for another when I couldn't find the right one in the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I ALWAYS look up the difference between baking powder and baking soda when I am trying a new recipe that calls for either -- inevitably I always have the one that I don't need!
ReplyDeleteMost people including me get confused between the two.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an informative post. I have been using both and never knew the difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I've always been interested in taking a food science class. I'd love to know how ingredients work so that I can be a better cook. This is a really big help.
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