What is the function of self rasiing flour in a cake?

Self-raising flour is a pre-mixed flour that contains baking powder and salt. This means it doesn't require any additional leavening agents to create a light and airy cake. The baking powder within the flour reacts with moisture and heat, producing carbon dioxide gas which creates the bubbles that make the cake rise.

Here's how it works in cake baking:

* Leavening: The baking powder in self-raising flour is the primary leavening agent. When it reacts with moisture and heat, it releases carbon dioxide gas, which gets trapped within the batter.

* Structure: This gas creates bubbles in the batter, giving it volume and a light, airy texture.

* Convenience: Using self-raising flour eliminates the need to add separate leavening agents, simplifying the baking process.

However, it's important to note that self-raising flour doesn't always provide the same level of lift as using separate baking powder and flour. This is because the amount of baking powder in self-raising flour can vary between brands.

Therefore, while it's a convenient option for quick baking, it's best to use separate baking powder and all-purpose flour for recipes that require precise leavening.