Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

name         Ethan S.
status       student
age          9

Question -   What do these ingrediants do from the chemical standpoint
in making a cake? Cake Flour, Canola Oil, Sugar, Egg, Cocoa, Salt,
Vanilla, Buttermilk, Baking Soda, Vineagar  Thanx a bunch!
-------------------------
Ethan,

The flour is the matrix (support structure) of the cake.
The oil is a lubricant to improve the mouth feel of the cake. It keeps it from
feeling dry and it makes it stay fresh longer.
Sugar, of course, is for sweetness.
Egg is an emulsifier that keeps the ingredients mixed before baking and it
serves as a binder to hold things together.
Cocoa is for flavoring, likewise for salt., and vanilla.
The baking soda and vinegar reacts to form bubbles of carbon dioxide that 
makes
all the neat little holes in the finished product.

Regards,
ProfHoff
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