baking powder...?

Question

whats the puposed of baking powder in a cookie recipe?

do i really need it?

can i use baking soda instead?

Answer 1

Baking powder replaces yeast in any baked good. The release of carbon dioxide by yeast causes breads to rise. Many recipes, however, use no yeast. Things like muffins, biscuits, cakes and cookies usually use baking powder instead.

You can substitute Baking Soda for Baking powder but you need Cream of Tartar. That's because Baking powder is normally made of these two things plus corn starch anyways.

Check your cook book substitution tables for the substitution measurements.