Let Test Kitchen Science Begin!

Test out some egg substitution options provided by our new member, Chef Gemma Stafford, of Bigger Bolder Baking.

State the PROBLEM: Your test kitchen is baking a cake for a friend’s event. Your friend is either allergic to eggs OR is serving a vegan and requires an egg-free cake.

Plan the test kitchen control and variables.

Step 1: Choose and read the Control Recipe you will use.

Assemble ingredients and bake the control for comparison.

One I like to use in test kitchen baking labs is:

Sunflour Golden Layer Cake
Makes 1, 8-inch round layer cake

1 cup (4.25 oz) all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup (5.25 oz) sugar
¼ cup (2 oz) vegetable shortening
½ cup (4 oz) milk
1 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring
1 large whole egg (1.75 oz)

Step 2 – Stir SUNFLOUR Plain Flour, sugar, baking powder and shortening together, add milk and flavoring. Beat vigorously 200 strokes (2 minutes), scraping bowl frequently.

Step 3 – Add egg and continue beating 2 more minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Batter will be thin. Bake in one 8-inch greased and floured pan at 350° F. for 30-35 minutes.

Step 4: Choose one or more variables from the egg substitution chart.

Step 5: Bake the control recipe substituting one of Gemma’s egg substitutes for each recipe baked.

Step 6: Analyze each variable result with the guide and charts available in Kitchen Science

Apply math:

  • Measure or scale each ingredient for accurate control and substitutions.
  • Take an internal temperature of each cake to confirm it is done. (200° F.)
  • Calculate ingredient costs for each recipe and it’s variable. Compare the costs.
  • Measure the batter weight and the final baked cake’s height for each variable.

Build literacy:

  • Take photos and write a report comparing the outcome of each variable compared to the control cake’s color, volume, flavor and texture.
  • Discuss which cakes were most acceptable or not. What problems did you find?
  • For each acceptable variable, what might you name the cake to market it?
  • Present your test kitchen results for each egg substitution variable.

Create! Bake the cake recipe above in a square cake pan (9 X 9-in). Create a nine block Quilt Cake! See how at HomeBaking.org

 

 

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