Why do you add baking soda to boiling water in certain cake recipes?

My chocolate cake recipe says to add baking soda to boiling water then add it to the existing batter. What is the purpose of this?Why do you add baking soda to boiling water in certain cake recipes?
to dissolve the baking soda and melt the fat in the batter.Why do you add baking soda to boiling water in certain cake recipes?
It activates the baking soda. The difference between baking soda and baking powder is baking soda is single acting and only 'rises' once. So if you put it in the boiling water and then use it in the chocolate cake you will have it rise a bit sooner.





If you use baking powder it starts rising when it gets wet and again rising when it gets warm.





Good luck!