<P> Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent, a mixture of a carbonate or bicarbonate and a weak acid and is used for increasing the volume and lightening the texture of baked goods . Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid - base reaction, causing bubbles in the wet mixture to expand and thus leavening the mixture . </P> <P> Baking powder is used instead of yeast for end - products where fermentation flavors would be undesirable or where the batter lacks the elastic structure to hold gas bubbles for more than a few minutes, or to speed the production . Because carbon dioxide is released at a faster rate through the acid - base reaction than through fermentation, breads made by chemical leavening are called quick breads . </P>

What is the use of baking powder in cooking