Question

Why does a cake become fluffy after baking?

Answer 1

Baking powder is added for making cakes. When the dough is baked, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHCO₃) releases, Carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas tries to escape from the dough which in turn leaves pores on the surface of the cake and makes it fluffy.

${\mathrm{NaHCO}}_3\stackrel{\mathrm{heat}}{\to }{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Due to the release of Carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, the cake becomes fluffy