Do you actually need baking powder to bake something and what happens if use it?

Do you *need* baking powder?

It depends on the recipe!

* Some recipes require it: Baking powder is essential for recipes like cakes, muffins, pancakes, biscuits, and quick breads. It's a chemical leavening agent, meaning it produces tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas that make the baked goods rise and become light and fluffy.

* Some recipes don't: Yeast-based breads, like sourdough or bread made with active dry yeast, don't need baking powder. They rely on the yeast to create the gas bubbles that make the bread rise.

What happens if you use baking powder when you don't need it?

* Changes in texture: Baking powder will still react and produce gas, even if a recipe doesn't call for it. This can lead to a dense, crumbly texture in yeast breads, since the gas bubbles created by the baking powder will interfere with the yeast's rising process.

* Overly light texture: In some recipes, like cookies, using baking powder could make the cookies rise too much and become too light and airy.

* Off-flavors: In some cases, too much baking powder can result in a slightly bitter or metallic taste.

In short:

* Follow your recipe! It's the best guide for whether or not baking powder is needed.

* If you're unsure, it's generally safe to omit baking powder from a recipe that doesn't explicitly call for it.

Let me know if you have any other baking questions! 😊