Question

A baker found that the cake prepared by him is hard and small in size. Which ingredient had he forgotten to add that would have caused the cake to rise and become light? Give reason.

Answer 1

The baker had forgotten to add baking powder. Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogencarbonate) and a mild edible acid such as tartaric acid. When this baking powder is added with water, then sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO₃) reacts with tartaric acid to evolve carbon dioxide gas. This CO₂ gas causes the cake to rise and become soft and spongy.