Curious Kids Every Day: A Daily Educational Podcast · Curious Kids Every Day

Why Do Cakes Rise in the Oven?

March 23, 2026·15 min·1 clip

Carbon dioxide is the same gas that makes soda fizzy, and it's what creates the bubbles that make cakes rise in the oven.

Host Josh explains the science behind why cakes rise in the oven, breaking down how leavening agents like baking powder create carbon dioxide bubbles that expand with heat, while proteins in flour and eggs form a stretchy network that traps the bubbles and sets into a sponge-like structure. The episode includes interactive quizzes, games with Josh's son Elliot, and birthday shoutouts to young listeners across the country.

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