⭐ Club Soda (Best Vegan Option)
Replace 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/4 cup club soda; reduce other liquids accordingly Quick tip: Adds lightness and some lift but less reliable rise; may slightly dilute flavor.
Club soda contains dissolved carbon dioxide which can provide some leavening by aerating the batter. In pound cake, this can help lighten the dense texture slightly but is less consistent than chemical leaveners.
Use chilled club soda and fold gently into the batter to preserve bubbles. Reduce other liquids to maintain batter consistency.
The final cake may be lighter but less structured, with a slightly different mouthfeel and potentially a more delicate crumb.