Chocolate cake recipe requires both baking powder and baking soda?

Chocolate cake recipe requires both baking powder and baking soda? - Crop female baker strewing powdered sugar to decorated cake

Here is the recipe I am using.

For batter:

  • 2 cups Sugar
  • Flour 1 3/4 cups
  • Cocoa 3/4 cup
  • Baking Soda 1 1/2 tsp
  • Baking Powder 1 1/2 tsp
  • Salt 1 tsp
  • 2 eggs
  • Milk 1 cup
  • Oil 1/2 cup
  • Vanilla Extract 2 tsp
  • Boiling Water 1 cup

For icing:

  • Butter 1 cup 227g
  • Cocoa 1 1/2 cup
  • Powdered Sugar 2 cups
  • Milk 2/3 cup
  • Vanilla Extract 1 tsp

I can't find baking soda at the moment so can I just double the amount of baking powder? Could that make the cake taste too acidic?

bakingcakechocolatepowder


Best Answer

As you have pointed out, baking powder is simply baking soda + acid. I've always, found recipes calling for both baking soda + baking powder a bit questionable.

Since you only have baking powder, you should try to cut down the acidity coming from the other ingredients, most specifically cocoa. Try using Dutch Processed (neutralized) cocoa powder; as cocoa is naturally acidic. I assume the recipe is calling for white sugar, but if you plan to use brown sugar, you should also not do it as that's also quite acidic as well...

Taking these into consideration, I think you can then simply substitute baking soda with slightly more baking powder.



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Do you use baking soda or baking powder in chocolate cake?

However, in chocolate cake, we don't need the lemony taste so we're using more baking soda which will react fully with the buttermilk and give the necessary rise. The baking powder in this recipe is just for the additional boost while the cake is baking in the oven.

Can I use both baking soda and baking powder in a cake?

Are baking soda and baking powder interchangeable? In a word, no. Because baking soda needs an acid with which to react and baking powder already contains it, they can't be used in place of each other, at least not without making other adjustments to the recipe.

What if a recipe calls for both baking powder and baking soda?

Why Do Some Recipes Use Both Baking Soda and Baking Powder? Recipes that call for both baking soda and baking powder usually have to do with the fact that the recipe contains acid that needs to be neutralized by the baking soda, but possibly not enough to do the amount of leavening desired.

Is baking powder necessary for chocolate cake?

Baking soda is a salt that makes food light and fluffy. If you don't have this ingredient at hand, use a baking soda substitute. Without it, your cake won't rise and can turn out flat.


SUPER SOFT AND MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE (WITHOUT BAKING POWDER/SODA) | Pinoy juicy bites



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