What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

Question

Some recipes call for one or the other... Do you ever use both in a recipe? What do each of them do?

Answer 1

BAKING POWDER:

Definition: Baking powder is a leavening agent used in cookies, quick breads and other baked goods to produce expansion of a batter. It is made of baking soda and cream of tartar or another acid powder. It is almost always double action. This means it releases carbon dioxide when mixed with liquid, and releases it again when exposed to heat. Make sure, when following a recipe, that you don't confuse it with baking SODA, because your recipe will be ruined. You can make your own baking powder, which will be single action, by combining baking soda with cream of tartar.

BAKING SODA:

Definition: Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a leavening agent used in baked goods like cookies or quick breads. It is used when the dough or batter contains an acidic ingredient, like buttermilk, lemon, brown sugar, sour cream, or yogurt. The soda, or base, combines with the buttermilk, or acid, to produce carbon dioxide and the baked goods expand, or rise. It is an ingredient in baking powder. Make sure not to confuse the two when baking, or your product will be ruined.

HOPE THIS HELPS :)  

Answer 2

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemis...

Answer 3

Super*Star has the "best answer", now I would like to tell you a little story about what happens if you get them mixed up.

One night I got only a few hours of sleep. The next morning I was so out of it when I was making chocolate chip muffins for breakfast that I used 2 whole tablespoons of baking SODA instead of baking POWDER. They came out of the oven smelling so good. My whole family was really looking forward to eating them. Well, they tasted like SOAP! I had to sit there pondering what on earth I put in them to make them taste like that. Then I realized what I did!

Moral of the story...

If you don't want your food to taste like soap be sure to follow the directions. And ALWAYS get a good night of sleep before attempting to bake.

Answer 4

i know that baking powder makes items rise when they are being baked