The Chemistry of CookiesBy: Tori Thurmond

The Chemistry of cookies • Spreading • Rising

• The development of flavors (Npr.org 1)

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Spreading • As the temperature increases, the butter melts - melting starts at 92 degrees Fahrenheit

• Butter is an “emulsion” made of water and fat (Warren)

http://thebittersweetend.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/dsc07673.jpg

Rising • As the butter melts, the water is released • When the water reaches its boiling point, it turns to steam, or vaporizes • As the steam tries to escape the cookie, air pockets form and the surface of

the cookie rises (Npr.org 2)• Baking soda reacts with some of the acidic properties in the cookie dough

and forms carbon dioxide which also causes air pockets to form (warren)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Chocolate_chip_cookies_in_the_oven,_March_2008.jpg

Flavoring • Maillard reactions

• Caramelization (Npr.org 3)

http://www.yiannislucacos.gr/sites/default/files/term118_maillard.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Brioche.jpg

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Desserts/SaltedCaramelCheesecake/CaramelStage4.jpg

How to change the texture of your cookies!

Thin, Crunchy Cookies:

• Use butter as fat (Mcgraw-hill.com 1)

“Chewy” Cookies:

• Soft, warm butter

(Npr.org 4)

Cake-like Cookie:

• Cold, hard butter(Npr.org 4)

Why should you care???• These reactions do not only apply to cookies!!!

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2014/04/Baking.jpg

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/food/ic/food_16x9_448/recipes/fairycakes_93711_16x9.jpg

http://chefandsteward.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/baking-in-dimas-

kitchen-6.jpghttp://www.jamesbeard.org/sites/default/files/styles/recipe_335x285/public/recipes/beard-baking-powder-istock.jpg

Works Cited • Mcgraw-hill.com. mailto:epgtech@megraw-hill.com, n.d. Web. 5

Apr. 2014. <http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078616441/student_view0/food_science_activities/cook ie_chemistry.html>.

• Npr.org. Michalleen Doucleff, 3 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/12/03/248347009/cookie-

baking-chemistry-how-to-engineer-your-perfect-sweet-treat>.

• Warren, Stephanie. The Chemistry of Cookies. Dir. Katie Wendt. Prod. Aaron Augenblick. Ed.ted.com. Ted conferences, n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. <http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-chemistry-of-cookies-stephanie- warren>.