Must baking powder be used in a dough?

Baking powder is not essential in dough, unless you desire the effect it provides. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it causes the dough to rise. This is achieved by releasing carbon dioxide gas when the baking powder comes into contact with liquid and an acid. For example, when baking powder is mixed with water, the acid in the baking powder reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas creates bubbles in the dough, causing it to rise.

If you do not desire a rise in your dough, then baking powder is not necessary and can be omitted from the recipe. However, many bread recipes, such as biscuits, cakes, and muffins, rely on baking powder to achieve their light and fluffy texture.