Saturday, January 30, 2010

What's the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder?

Baked Goods

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Baking Soda and Baking Powder are both used in a variety of baked goods. Although the names are similar, there are some significant differences between the two products.

What Baking Soda Is

Baking Soda, also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, is a salt that appears as a fine white powder. Besides cooking, baking soda has some medicinal uses. It is known to combat stomach acid, and is often used in toothpaste products.

In baking, Baking Soda is used as a leavening agent. When combined with
and acidic ingredient, Baking Soda release carbon dioxide which causes
"rising."


What Baking Powder Is

America Baking Powder, Columbia

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Baking Powder actually contains Baking Soda, and is also used as a leavening agent in baked goods. It is also a white powder.

Baking Powder is a combination of baking soda, and acidic ingredient such as cream of tartar, and also starch, as a drying ingredient.

There are two types of Baking Powders that react at different phases of the baking process. Some begin reacting once added to the wet mixture, and products are usually baked immediately. Others start reacting when added, but do the most rising when introduced to the heat in the oven.



The Differences Between Baking Soda and Powder

Old-Fashioned Baking

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The only difference between the two is that Baking Powder already contains the acidic ingredient necessary for the proper release of carbon dioxide. Baking Soda tends to have a bitter taste on its own, so it will be used in recipes in which it is combined with an acidic ingredient such as cocoa or buttermilk.

Although Baking Soda tends to be unstable at higher temperatures, the temperature change in baking causes Baking Powder to activate and the dough to rise. Recipes with baking powder may have longer baking times.

Both are used in recipes for cookies, cakes, muffins, and other tasty treats.



Substitution of Baking Powder or Baking Soda

Baking Soda cannot be substituted in recipes calling for Baking Powder. However, you can use a mixture of 2 parts cream of tarter to one part Baking Soda to create your own mix of Baking Powder.

Baking Powder can be used in recipes calling for Baking Soda, although more may need to be used, and there may be some influence on taste or texture.


Baking Pictures and Art


Baking Soda and Baking Powder Resources

Baking Soda on Wikipedia

Baking Powder on Wikipedia

Baking Soda and Baking Powder on About.com

Baking Soda Recipes

Baking Powder Recipes

Baking Powder & Soda on Joy of Baking


Baking Soda and Baking Powder Wrap-up


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