Chewy, Crispy, or Cakey – What defines the texture of a cookie?
We all have a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie. For me, it’s chewy. Baking is chemistry. The ratio and use of certain ingredients define the final product. The chemical reaction between flour, sugar, and fat paired cohesively with the oven temperature and baking time determine the texture and appearance of a cookie. Cookies…
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Holiday Baking Tips From a Pastry Chef
Tis the season for holiday baking… It’s hard to stay organized during the holiday season, with the shopping, gift wrapping, meal planning and of course the baking. In pastry school, we are taught the importance of organization and a clean, tidy working space. With the holiday season in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to…
The Wedding Cake Case
On Tuesday, the United States (U.S.) Supreme Court heard oral argument in the “Wedding Cake Case.” In, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the justices must decide whether a Colorado law, which forced the baker to create a cake that went against his religious beliefs about marriage, “violates the free speech or free exercise clause…
The Psychology of Baking For Others
Although baking can be stressful, it has been a source of therapy for many. The psychology of baking is complex. It affects human psychology, as well as sociology. While the act of baking is a form of stress relief, joy also comes from the act of giving. And that is why “[b]aking, especially when it’s…
