My banana muffins recipe calls for baking soda, even though there is no acid present that would react with it.u003cbr/u003eThat's because baking soda helps to brown the muffins beautifully.u003cbr/u003eWithout baking soda, muffins come out pale as pictured below.u003cimg class=u0022wp-image-31220u0022 style=u0022max-width:100%;u0022 src=u0022https://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Banana-Muffins-with-baking-powder-1.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Very pale baked banana muffins in a baking pan.u0022/u003e