Red Seal Baker Practice Exam

What is the purpose of using baking powder in recipes?

1. To act as a preservative

2. To add flavor

3. To provide leavening

4. To enhance color

The correct answer is: To provide leavening

The purpose of using baking powder in recipes is to provide leavening. Baking powder is a combination of an acid, base, and a moisture-absorbing agent, which activates when it is mixed with liquid and exposed to heat. This chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates bubbles in the batter or dough, causing it to rise and become light and airy. This is crucial in many baked goods, such as cakes and biscuits, where volume and texture are important characteristics. While other agents can be used for flavoring or coloration, baking powder specifically serves to make the product rise. It does not act as a preservative, which slows down spoilage, nor is it used primarily for adding flavor, as leavening agents contribute more to the physical properties of baked items rather than their taste.