I decided to test a basic yellow cake recipe I’ve used before. It uses a combination of butter and oil, sugar, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, and usually eggs. It’s a good ...

Baking powder is a leavening agent that's made from baking soda mixed with an acid. When it comes in contact with a liquid, it releases carbon dioxide bubbles, which causes cakes made from scratch ...

If you add baking powder and still end up with a flat cake, check the best before date. Add eggs and other liquids to the mixture slowly to avoid curdling, which can cause heaviness and a flat cake.