Chocolate cake recipe requires both baking powder and baking soda?

Question

Here is the recipe I am using.

For batter:

• 2 cups Sugar
• Flour 1 3/4 cups
• Cocoa 3/4 cup
• Baking Soda 1 1/2 tsp
• Baking Powder 1 1/2 tsp
• Salt 1 tsp
• 2 eggs
• Milk 1 cup
• Oil 1/2 cup
• Vanilla Extract 2 tsp
• Boiling Water 1 cup

For icing:

• Butter 1 cup 227g
• Cocoa 1 1/2 cup
• Powdered Sugar 2 cups
• Milk 2/3 cup
• Vanilla Extract 1 tsp

I can't find baking soda at the moment so can I just double the amount of baking powder? Could that make the cake taste too acidic?

Answer 1

As you have pointed out, baking powder is simply baking soda + acid. I've always, found recipes calling for both baking soda + baking powder a bit questionable.

Since you only have baking powder, you should try to cut down the acidity coming from the other ingredients, most specifically cocoa. Try using Dutch Processed (neutralized) cocoa powder; as cocoa is naturally acidic. I assume the recipe is calling for white sugar, but if you plan to use brown sugar, you should also not do it as that's also quite acidic as well...

Taking these into consideration, I think you can then simply substitute baking soda with slightly more baking powder.