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baking soda

CondimentsYear-round

Baking soda is primarily sodium bicarbonate and contributes negligible calories or macronutrients; however, it adds sodium to recipes. It is used in such small quantities in baking that its nutritional impact is minimal.

About

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a naturally occurring alkaline compound belonging to the salt family. It occurs in nature as the mineral nahcolite and is mined from mineral deposits or synthesized industrially through the Solvay process. Sodium bicarbonate is a white crystalline powder with a slight alkaline taste and odorless character. When heated or exposed to an acid, it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas, which gives baked goods their characteristic rise and crumb structure. It is chemically distinct from baking powder, which contains additional acidifying agents.

Culinary Uses

Baking soda serves as a chemical leavening agent in baking, where its alkaline properties react with acidic ingredients (buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, chocolate) to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that aerate cakes, cookies, muffins, and quick breads. It is also used to adjust pH in recipes, enhance browning reactions (Maillard reaction), and tenderize proteins in marinades. Beyond baking, small quantities are employed in savory dishes to neutralize acidity, reduce bitterness in vegetables, and create specific textures. Proper ratios are essential; excessive baking soda leaves an undesirable soapy or metallic taste and yellows baked goods.

Used In

Recipes Using baking soda (590)

RCI-BR.004.0530.001

Total Chocolate Eclipse Cake

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RCI-SN.002.0295.001

Tropical Fritter Snacks

I took a long detour around a pineapple fritter recipe and concocted these. We found them to be quite tasty.

RCI-BR.003.0421.001

Tropical Muffins

Tropical Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0210.001

Tropical Pancakes

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RCI-BR.004.0538.001

Tropical Snack Cake

Contributed by Healthy R

RCI-VG.005.0273.001

Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

RCI-BR.005.0637.001

Turtle Cookies

Purchased from Betik Estate in Waxahachie, Texas in 1998. Dated 1922. Indicates this was a $25,000 winner in the Pillsbury Cookoff in 1953.

RCI-BR.004.0539.001

Ultimate Peanut Butter Cake

Looking for the ultimate in peanut butter and chocolate? Look no further - this cake will satisfy the best of both worlds. Rich in peanut butter with a moist, flaky crumb, this cake tastes best when it's still slightly warm.

RCI-BR.003.0426.001

Valentine Bread

Contributed by Jenn b aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-BR.004.0543.001

Vegan Chocolate Cake

Try With Vegan Chocolate Frosting or even better Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

RCI-BR.005.0649.001

Vegan Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tasty vegan oatmeal-peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

RCI-BR.004.0544.001

Vegetarian Cake

Vegetarian Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0651.001

Vera's Buttermilk Cookies

Vera's Buttermilk Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0548.001

Wacky Buttermilk Cake

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.004.0549.001

Wacky cake

Wacky cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0550.001

Wacky Cupcakes

Wacky Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0429.001

Warm Gingerbread

Original recipe Makes 25 servings

RCI-BR.008.0216.001

Watson Estate Banana Waffles

Purchased from the Watson Estate in McKinney, Texas in 1991. Dated 1931. Notation on card said this was served every Sunday (with variations) for over 30 years in Grandpa Jack’s house.

RCI-VG.004.1521.001

Way Good Pinto Beans with Sausage

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Howell Estate in Canton, Texas in 1981.

RCI-BR.005.0656.001

Weight Watcher brownies

Weight Watcher brownies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1526.001

Wheat, Sugar and Gluten-free Crêpes

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-BR.003.0431.001

Whole-wheat Banana Bread

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Farrell estate in Arlington, Texas in 1988.

RCI-BR.008.0230.001

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Makes 12 x 4-inch pancakes

RCI-BR.008.0231.001

Whole-wheat Crêpes

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-BR.003.0432.001

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

=Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread=

RCI-BR.004.0557.001

Why Not Fruit Cocktail Cake

Why Not Fruit Cocktail Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0435.001

Wild Blueberry Bran Muffins

Yield: Approximately 36 muffins

RCI-BR.003.0437.001

Wild Blueberry Mandarin Orange Muffins

Wild Blueberry Mandarin Orange Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0288.001

Wild Sage Bread

A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-BR.005.0661.001

Woodstock Brownies

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-BR.004.0559.001

World Recipe Cake

World Recipe Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0560.001

World Recipe Coffee Cake Recipe

A pot of coffee a good show or a great book and man this is life.

RCI-BR.005.0662.001

Yam and Raisin Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Mclean Estate in Irving, Texas in 1982.

RCI-BR.003.0441.001

Yam Good Biscuits

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RCI-BR.008.0235.001

Ye Mon

A tasty and filling in-between meals recipe.

RCI-BR.004.0562.001

Yogurt coffee cake

Yogurt coffee cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0238.001

Yummy Pancakes

Yummy easy pancakes.

RCI-BR.003.0443.001

Zucchini bread

Zucchini bread is a sweet fluffy bread that has zucchini in it. It is delicious. There are many different ways of making it. Here is one.

RCI-BR.003.0444.001

Zucchini-Carrot Bread

Zucchini-Carrot Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0664.001

Zucchini Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pryor estate in Grapevine, Texas in 1996.