1. Cakes

2. Ingredients
Each ingredient performs a specific function and must be combined in proper balance
Too much flour: cake is DRY
Too much egg: cake is TOUGH and HARD

3. Cake Ingredient Classifications
Tougheners
Tenderizers
Moisteners
Driers
Leaveners
Flavorings

4. Tougheners
Provide protein that assists in structure and toughens the cake
Flour
Milk
Eggs

5. Tenderizers
Shorten gluten strands, making cake tender and soft (makes batter weaker)
Improve cake’s keeping qualities
Sugar
Fat
Egg yolks

6. Moisteners
Bring moisture necessary for gluten formation and starch gelatinization
Improve cake’s keeping qualities
Milk
Water
Juice
Eggs

7. Driers Absorb moisture, giving body and structure to the cake Flour
Starches
Milk solids

8. Leaveners Make cakes rise Gases in batter expand when heated
Air is trapped when fat and sugar are creamed together
Carbon dioxide (CO2) released from BAKING SODA and BAKING POWDER
Air trapped from beaten eggs
Natural leaveners – steam and air

9. Flavorings For desired taste add: Cocoa/chocolate Extracts Spices
Sugar
Salt
Butter

10. Flavorings, cont. Acidic ingredients activate baking soda Sour cream
Chocolate
Fruit

11. Ingredient Preparation
All ingredients should be at room temperature (approximately 70°F)
Any ingredient too cold or too warm = affects batter’s ability to trap and hold the gases necessary to rise

12. Mixing Methods
Shortened/Creamed Fat
Whipped Egg

13. Creamed Fat/Shortened Method
Based on high fat formulas containing chemical leaveners
Fine grain, uniform cell size, moist crumb
Pound cakes, layer cakes, coffeecakes

14. Using the Creaming Method
Sift dry ingredients together
Cream butter or shortening until light and fluffy
Add sugar and cream until mixture is fluffy and smooth
Add eggs, one at a time
Add dry and liquids alternately

15. Determining Doneness Appearance Tough Cake Tester
Light to golden brown
Edges begin to pull away from sides of pan
Does not jiggle
Tough
Spring back when touched lightly
Cake Tester
Toothpick, skewer, or metal cake tester should come out clean

16. Cake Creations Worksheet
Complete the “Cake Creations” Worksheet
You may work together on the worksheet as a group, but each group member is required to turn in their own worksheet

17. Cake Decorating Inspiration

18. Cake Decorating Inspiration