Better than yeast, baking powder leaves more air space. Don't put too much! It might becomes REALLY, REALLY, REALLY flat or REALLY REALLY REALLY big...
Helps Rise
Baking powder in a recipe helps your item rise when baking.
What are you baking? In cakes it helps with the batter.
yes indeed
The recipe that I use calls for baking soda.
Yes it aids in the rising. When a recipe contains baking powder and baking soda, the baking powder does most of the leavening. The baking soda is added to neutralize the acids in the recipe plus to add tenderness and some leavening.
Yes, if a recipe calls for baking powder, it needs to be used so the batter will rise properly. whether xantuam gum is used or not. Xantham gum is not a leavening agent.
To replace for example 3 teaspoons of baking powder with baking soda, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
For a belgian waffle recipe baking power is very needed and should be used. the correct amount for 4 inch belgian waffles is about 2 teaspoons of baking powder and you should cook them for about 13 minutes
You can use self-rising flour in any recipe that also calls for baking powder. When you do use self-rising flour be sure to omit baking powder, salt and baking soda if in the recipe.
It's very doubtful it will make you sick. However, the baking powder will be useless in the recipe if it has reached (or surpassed) the expiration date.
You should bake a product based on the recipe. It is based on the recipe and baking instructions.