Chemistry of Shortened Cake

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LIPIDS AND PRODUCT APPLICATION Cake batters containing fat are unique because of the four colloidal systems (foams, emulsion, gels, and suspensions) important in foods observed in shortened cakes before or after baking (De Leon et al, 1999). The type and proportion of ingredients (Table 1), the method of mixing and the method of baking are a few factors which affect the characteristics of shortened cakes. Table 1. Ingredients of shortened cake Ingredient Quantity (grams) Percent (flour weight basis) Cake flour 117.00 100 Milk 100.00 128 Sugar 150.00 128 Hydrogenated fat 30.00 25 45.00 39 61.50 53 Egg 54.00 46 Baking powder 4.35 3.7 Salt 2.85 1.9 Vanilla 2.25 1.5 Cake flour. The higher the gluten content of regular flour would make cakes tough, so soft, extra-short patent wheat flours are used to make cake flour. It is pure white and has a very fine, silky, soft texture. Its lower protein content of only 8 percent and small particle size compared to all-purpose flour result in less gluten being formed, which gives cakes a fine grain, a delicate structure, and a velvety texture (Brown, 2010). Liquid. Liquid in some form is required in flour mixtures to hydrate the flour and to gelatinize the starch. The water in the liquid also allows gluten to be formed, acts as a solvent for the dry ingredients, provides steam for leavening, and allows baking powder to react and produce carbon dioxide. The correct amount of liquid in relation to other ingredients in the cake is essential for a high quality product. The weight of the liquid should be approximately equal to the weight of the flour. When the fluid is too high in relation to the flour, the resultant batter is very fluid and the finished cake will lack structure (Brown, 2010). It is not necessary to include milk in a flour mixture, but it is usually recommended over water, because it improves

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