Baking powder or bicarbonate of Soda?

[mumnosbest]

My DS came home from school with a recipe for 'hokie pokie biscuits'. They've been learning about Maouris. The recipe says baking soda. I have baking powder or bicarbonate of soda. What's the difference?

they're the same ..non?

I thought so but then not sure why Dr Oetker makes both

bicarb of soda needs some acid for it to work, so does the recipie have anything like yoghurt or lemon juice as well. if so you probably need bicarb otherwise baking powder

So people like me can have both in the cupboard

baking soda is bicarb, I'm pretty sure.

No, they're not the same!

baking powder has cream of tartar in it !!

I have both. No acidic ingredients so I'll try baking powder. Thanks! I'll let you know if it works :)

Baking soda is bicarbonate of soda, it needs acid to activate and produce the carbon dioxide bubbles to make things rise

Baking powder is different, it contains bicarb and cream of tartar so the acid (cream of tartar) is already included and it then reacts with any liquid to form carbon dioxide and make things rise.

I used baking powder and the hokie pokie biscuits rose and were yummy. Maybe they'd have been ok whichever I used. Thanks all! :)