Can you use bicarbonate soda instead of baking in a recipe?

No, you cannot use bicarbonate soda (baking soda) in place of baking powder in a recipe. Here's why:

* Baking powder is a leavening agent, meaning it produces carbon dioxide bubbles that cause baked goods to rise. It contains both baking soda and an acid, allowing it to react with moisture and heat to create those bubbles.

* Bicarbonate soda (baking soda) is an alkaline ingredient. It needs an acid to react with to produce bubbles.

If you use baking soda without an acid, your baked goods will taste flat and dense.

However, you can use baking soda and an acid together to mimic the function of baking powder. This is done by combining baking soda with an acidic ingredient like buttermilk, lemon juice, or cream of tartar. The proportions will depend on the recipe and the desired level of leavening.

In short, while you can use baking soda and an acid in place of baking powder, you cannot directly substitute one for the other.