Does baking powder dissolve in water?

Yes, baking powder does dissolve in water, but it's a bit more complicated than that.

Here's what happens:

* Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), an acid (like cream of tartar), and sometimes a drying agent (like cornstarch).

* When baking powder comes into contact with water, the acid and baking soda react to produce carbon dioxide gas. This is what makes cakes rise!

* The cornstarch in baking powder helps absorb moisture and prevents the acid and baking soda from reacting too quickly.

So, while baking powder *appears* to dissolve in water, it's really the ingredients reacting with the water to create the gas that makes baking work.

It's important to note that baking powder will not dissolve completely in water. Some of the cornstarch will remain undissolved, but the reaction will still occur and produce the necessary gas.