Baking soda and baking powder look similar (not to mention having similar names). But the ingredients serve slightly different purposes. Learn the difference for successful baking.
Here’s the Difference Between Baking Powder and Baking Soda
It’s easy to confuse baking powder and baking soda. The powders look similar. Both often show up in the same recipe as well. Of course, baking can be a finicky process, so just think what might happen if you use the completely wrong ingredient! Knowing the difference between baking powder and baking soda is crucial for successful recipes (like these beautiful vintage-inspired cakes).
Here’s the scoop!
What is baking soda?
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a mineral compound that, when combined with something acidic, creates carbon dioxide. (Think of those elementary school volcano experiments when you pour in the vinegar.) The carbon dioxide gas creates bubbles, which help doughs and batters rise.
Baking soda is commonly used in recipes containing acidic ingredients like buttermilk, brown sugar, yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, cream of tartar, applesauce, natural cocoa powder, honey or molasses. Baking soda helps the finished product to rise and have a crisper texture.
It’s also a little salty tasting. Overdoing it with baking soda can result in an extra salty or even metallic-tasting bake! You only want to use enough to react with the amount of acid in the recipe, and any excess amount means there will be leftover baking soda in the recipe. That’s no good, because too much baking soda is one of the most common cake mistakes.
Instead, try putting that extra baking soda to good use cleaning around the house!
What is baking powder?
Unlike baking soda, which consists of one simple ingredient, baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar, a dry acid. An inactive ingredient, often cornstarch, keeps the two from reacting until liquid is added. The addition of cream of tartar adds acidity to recipes that don’t call for acidic ingredients. Also worth noting: Since baking powder is a mixture of ingredients, it’s slightly less potent, teaspoon by teaspoon, than baking soda.
When liquid is added, the baking soda and acid in the cream of tartar combine to produce carbon dioxide. Because this reaction starts right away, it’s important to bake these batters and doughs right after adding the liquid.
Most baking powders sold today are double-acting, meaning that they work once as they are added to wet ingredients and then leaven (make dough rise) again when popped in the oven and exposed to heat. Single-acting baking powders are also available but aren’t used as frequently. They activate when exposed to moisture and that’s it. You can substitute double-acting for single-acting baking powder.
Bear in mind that baking powder and baking soda can both become less effective over time, meaning if they are too old your cakes won’t get the right rise. Be sure to check the expiration dates before you start baking.
Why do some recipes use both?
Some recipes call for both baking powder and baking soda. These recipes have a little bit of active acid, but the resulting carbon dioxide from the acid and the baking soda isn’t enough to leaven the volume of the batter. Baking powder is incorporated for that additional lift.
Both can be used for preserving flavor as well. For instance, if you were making fluffy pancakes, only using baking soda would neutralize the buttermilk’s acid and therefore cancel out the desired tangy flavor. Incorporating baking powder allows that slightly acidic flavor to remain, while ensuring the pancakes achieve desirable fluffiness.
Now that you know the basic difference between these two ingredient cousins, you’re destined for baking success!
Get ready to bake classic cakes from scratch
Coffee CakeOur coffee cake recipe turns coffee-o-clock into a true treat!
Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf RecipeSatisfy your coffee shop treat cravings with this copycat Starbucks lemon loaf cake recipe.
Chocolate Chiffon CakeThis chocolate chiffon cake may take some practice to perfect but once you do, it may be difficult to remember what your life was like without it.
Yellow Cake RecipeA yellow cake recipe is a staple for any home baker. This recipe comes complete with chocolate buttercream frosting to make the ultimate birthday celebration treat.
Rum CakeThis sweet and spirited rum cake recipe is irresistible. No crumb will be left behind.
Classic Tres Leches CakeTres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. But if you're in a hurry, try this quick cloud cake recipe.
Carrot CakeMy family's best carrot cake recipe dates back to my great-grandmother! We bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there's enough to go around. You'll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
Red Velvet CakeOur red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.
Kentucky Butter CakeLook no further than Kentucky butter cake for a fluffy, buttery cake with an excellent crumb and a vanilla-almond butter sauce that permeates every bite.
Spice CakeThis spice cake recipe has stood the test of time and it's one you'll probably hand down yourself.
Sour Cream Pound CakeA classic sour cream pound cake should be your go-to choice for brunch, snacking, special occasions and more.
Marble CakeIn this striking marble cake, each layer is a swirl of chocolate and sour cream pound cake. The key is mixing one batter, adding melted chocolate to part of it, then "marbling" the two together to create the stunning effect.
Black Forest Chocolate TorteIf you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
Hummingbird CakeThis impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Gingerbread CakeIndulge in the ultimate warming treat with a homemade gingerbread cake. Rich, spiced flavors are paired with a velvety caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert.
Lemon Chiffon CakeLemon chiffon cake is soft and spongy, with a luscious buttercream frosting. You'll want to eat this cake quickly, as chiffon cakes don't last very long—but that shouldn't be a problem, given how delicious it is.
Carrot Bundt CakeBaked in a pretty cake pan and swirled with tangy cream cheese frosting, this carrot Bundt cake recipe is one you'll make again and again.
Chocolate Cake with Vanilla FrostingYou can get a moist, flavorful cake without any weird ingredients using this recipe for chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. The smooth vanilla buttercream filling makes each slice a decadent delight.
Upside-Down FruitcakeI get tired of people bad-mouthing holiday fruitcakes. It's one of my favorite holiday flavors and I look forward to it every year. This year, I decided to combine it with everyone's favorite, upside-down cake. Try to say no to this fruitcake; I dare you! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Butter Pecan CakeThis irresistible butter pecan cake features multiple layers, plenty of toasted buttery pecan crunch and a thick layer of buttercream frosting. In a word, it's delicious. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or maple ice cream to complement this decadent southern dessert.
Funfetti CakeWant to know how to make a Funfetti cake recipe from scratch? Our Test Kitchen provides you with a helpful guide sprinkled with tips for making this colorful cake.
Angel Food CakeThis top-rated angel food cake recipe is a light and airy dessert everyone loves. It's heavenly served with berries or other fresh fruit and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
Vanilla Mug CakeDid you know you can bake a tiny, single-serving cake in less than 15 minutes? And dirty only one coffee mug? And not even turn on the oven? This delightful tender vanilla mug cake defies everything you know about baking a cake.
French Apple CakeWith just a few simple ingredients and your favorite baking apples, you'll have a delicious cake on the table in no time. Here's how to make this impressive French apple cake.
Blue Velvet CakeBlue velvet cake with sweet cream cheese frosting is a fun, vibrant spin on red velvet cake. Here's how to make it from scratch.
Pandan CakeThis light-as-air pandan cake features the fragrant, vanilla-like essence of pandan for an uncommonly delicious dessert.
Pumpkin Spice CakeFill the kitchen with autumn aromas by baking a soft pumpkin spice cake that's topped with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate Chip Mug CakeWhen you want dessert in a flash, reach for this chocolate chip mug cake recipe. It creates a single-serve treat that will be ready in minutes.
Pineapple Angel Food CakeWhip up this sweet, fruity pineapple angel food cake with just two pantry ingredients!
Biscoff CakeBiscoff cake, a decadent layer cake loaded with spiced cookie flavor and creamy frosting, will wow everyone who sees and tastes it.
Battenberg CakeThis classic British dessert is full of almond marzipan and apricot sweetness. Our Battenberg cake recipe shows you how to make one that's picture-perfect.
Champagne CakeThere's no better way to add sparkle to holidays and special occasions than with a bubbly champagne cake.
Apple Fritter CakeThis apple fritter cake recipe has all the flavor of fried fritters—even the icing! But no frying is needed since the buttery, rich treat bakes in the oven.
Orange Olive Oil CakeOur orange olive oil cake recipe makes a simple yet flavorful snacking cake that everyone will love. In my house, I always have to bake a double batch.
Vegan Birthday CakeLooking for a quick and easy vegan birthday cake? This moist, fluffy vanilla cake with chocolate frosting is for you!
White Velvet CakeThis gorgeous white velvet cake has a soft, tender crumb. So what's the secret ingredient? Egg whites instead of whole eggs.
Earl Grey CakeEarl Grey makes a curious addition to this frosted sponge cake, but its subtle bergamot aroma adds an elegant flourish. You’ll taste the syrup in each layer.
Pumpkin Crunch CakeSimple pumpkin crunch cake is rich, earthy, spicy, sweet and crunchy. Make this easy dump cake recipe ASAP!
Kit Kat CakeLooking to create an impressive cake that's also incredibly easy to make? This Kit Kat cake is it!
Nothing Bundt Cake CopycatFollow this Nothing Bundt Cake copycat to make the bakery's iconic "chocolate chocolate chip" cake. The steps are simple and the result is delectable!
