This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Baking soda vs baking powder\u2026.what is the difference? I\u2019m here to teach you the basics of each so that you can improve your baking skills. Learn the whys, hows, and when they\u2019re important to achieving delicious recipes.<\/p>\n Baking powder and baking soda are key ingredients in so many classic recipes! Baking soda is a must when baking cookies<\/a>. Sometimes I use both, like in our favorite copycat Crumbl<\/a> cookie recipe. And I couldn\u2019t make my homemade pancake mix<\/a> without the help of baking powder because it makes them SO fluffy!<\/p>\n Baking soda and baking powder are both chemical leavening agents. The ingredient in a recipe makes dough or batter rise through a chemical reaction. However, they are NOT the same! They have notable differences, so let\u2019s compare baking soda vs baking powder and break it down!<\/p>\n Baking soda is powerful! It is 3 times stronger than baking powder! In the world of science, baking soda is known as a base<\/em>. It will create a reaction when it comes in contact with an acid<\/em>. This also translates into the world of baking! This reaction produces a carbon dioxide gas, and the bubbles from this reaction give a light texture in baked goods. Recipes that use baking soda will also call for some type of acid to create this chemical reaction. <\/p>\n We\u2019re all familiar with the reaction of baking soda and vinegar but many ingredients react in recipes to create carbon dioxide. Here is a list of acid<\/em> ingredients commonly used in baking:<\/p>\n Irish Soda Bread<\/a> is a bread recipe that relies on the reaction of buttermilk and baking soda to rise. My fun Wacky Cake<\/a> is another example of this reaction. The baking soda and vinegar in the recipe give this cake the fluffiest texture and it\u2019s SO yummy!<\/p>\n Using too much baking soda in your recipes without neutralizing it with an acid <\/em>will result in a strong metallic flavor from the baking soda. Some people might think the more baking soda you use the more rise you\u2019ll get, but that isn\u2019t how baking soda works. It needs to be just the right amount and has to have an acid to react and neutralize it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Baking powder actually has baking soda in it! It also contains another acid<\/em> like cream of tartar or cornstarch that helps neutralize the baking soda. This means there isn\u2019t a need for another acid for baking powder to react. Baking powder reacts in two different ways, and if you\u2019ve ever wondered why the container says \u201cdouble-acting\u201d, here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n My Grandma\u2019s Perfect Fluffy Pancakes<\/a> are the perfect example of this reaction. The baking powder in her pancake recipe reacts with the heat of the skillet making them fluffy and soft! Another example is this delicious Ricotta Cake<\/a>! The baking powder makes it so light and fluffy as it bakes.<\/p>\n It is necessary to use both baking soda and baking powder in certain recipes! Using both can improve the texture and the flavor of your baked goods. It\u2019s fun to see what happens when you use either baking soda, baking powder, or both! Check out the results below!<\/p>\n In short, I wouldn\u2019t recommend it! It\u2019s tricky to do without affecting the rise, texture, and flavor of your baked good. It\u2019s better to follow a recipe the way it is written to get the best results!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes, they expire! Here are some tips for storing and keeping baking powder and baking soda fresh!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder.jpg\"\/)
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder-1200x1799.jpg\"\/ "\\"Baking")
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder-1200x1799.jpg\" "\\"Baking")
<\/figure>\nReasons to Know How They Work<\/h2>\n
\n
Baking Soda vs Baking Powder<\/h2>\n
What is Baking Soda?<\/h2>\n
![\"Side](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder-2-1200x1659.jpg\"\/ "\\"Baking")
![\"Side](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder-2-1200x1659.jpg\" "\\"Baking")
<\/figure>\nAcids That React With Baking Soda<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/irish-soda-bread-1-2-1200x1799.jpg\"\/ "\\"Baking")
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/irish-soda-bread-1-2-1200x1799.jpg\" "\\"Baking")
<\/figure>\nToo Much Baking Soda?<\/h2>\n
What is Baking Powder?<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/buttermilk_pancakes.jpg\"\/ "\\"Baking")
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/buttermilk_pancakes.jpg\" "\\"Baking")
<\/figure>\nWhy Use Both?<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Muffin](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ingredients-with-Labels-for-Baking-Soda-vs-Baking-Powder.png\"\/ "\\"Baking")
![\"Muffin](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ingredients-with-Labels-for-Baking-Soda-vs-Baking-Powder.png\" "\\"Baking")
<\/figure>\nCan You Substitute One For the Other?<\/h2>\n
Does Baking Powder and Baking Soda Expire?<\/h3>\n