The Chemistry in Coffee Cake

Coffee Cake is a crumbly, moist dessert cake. The coffee cake recipe, I use here, features two cake layers separated by an additional layer of cinnamon, topped with a streusel topping. Specifically, the baking process and ordering of ingredients contribute to the makings of this signature dish. In reference to heat, the temperature and time of baking plays an integral part in how the cake rises as well as helps construct its signature texture. The ordering of ingredients helps ensure that the cake does indeed rise, and that the batter maintains a smooth and desired texture. The oven is heated to 350 °F to promote Maillard reactions without the production of isoacchrosan or caramelen. Maillard Browning helps to contribute to the desired resultant flavor. However, caramelen has a bitter taste and results from the excessive dehydration of sucrose at temperatures above 392 °F. Since ovens may vary in temperatures, 350 °F gives enough range to encourage Maillard reactions without overly dehydrating the product. And since Fructose caramelizes at about 230°F, this temperature allows for some caramelization to occur due to the table sugar. (Field 2012a) (Asmi 2019) The streusel layer produces a crumbly texture because of how the flour interacts with the butter and sugar. Both the flour and butter are generally insoluble in water due to their nonpolar structure. Since nonpolar substances attract other nonpolar substances, the nonpolar molecules in the butter surround the flour components (starch, proteins, and lipids). This part of the recipe uses brown sugar, which introduces water to the mixture. Rather than dissolve the flour, water and flour react to form gluten. However, since nonpolar, oily molecules already surround the flour, this reaction is restricted. Together, these competing forces result in a crumble, unstable texture. (Al-Dmoor 2013) (Provost 2016a) (Provost 2016b) The dry ingredients are mixed separately from the wet ingredients because of how flour and leavening agents react with water and the sour cream. Flour, when mixed with water, begins to form gluten. It would be undesirable for this reaction to occur without the introduction of heat to solidify the cake in a new shape. In other words, the formation of gluten at this stage would prohibit the cake from rising. Baking powder will begin to react when in an aqueous solution. Similarly, baking soda will react in the presence of an acid, such as the sour cream. At this stage in the recipe, mixing these will cause the reactions to occur before the cake is able to stabilize. In short, the cake may not rise otherwise. (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016a) A whisk is used in this step to aerate the mixture and pull apart the intermolecular bonds within the ingredients so they can mix. Together, the wet ingredients add a mixture of polar and nonpolar substances as well as emulsifiers to the recipe. Fats in the milk and cream do not easily mix with polar molecules such as water. However, the proteins in the milk and eggs work as an emulsifier, which makes it easier for polar and nonpolar to come together. When mixing the dry and wet ingredients, the resultant cake batter is a foam. This means that the continuous phase is a liquid, while the dispersed phase is a gas. It is important not to overmix the batter because chemical reactions begin to take place as soon as the wet and dry ingredients are combined. These reactions include gluten formation and the activation of the leavening agents. If overmixed, these reactions with have occurred prior to the baking process, and the cake will not rise. (Field 2012b) (Provost 2016b) While baking, many chemical processes undergo at the same time. The baking soda reacts with the acidic sour cream to produce carbon dioxide and water, while the baking powder, now in an aqueous solution and in the presence of heat, begins to produce carbon dioxide as well. The water in the recipe also has a leavening effect as it undergoes a physical change from a liquid to a gaseous form. While the leavening agents leaven, gluten formation starts to occur between the glutenin and gliadin in flour and the surrounding water. As gas is produced and moves up out of the foam batter, the gluten works to contain the gas, and the cake rises. The proteins in eggs play a similar role as the gluten. When heated, these proteins denature, or unravel somewhat. As the product cools, these proteins ravel once more, albeit in an altered shape. For this reason, it is important to let the cake cool before serving. The structure of the cake does not fully set until the proteins reform into the newly risen shape. (Asmi 2019) (Al-Dmoor 2013) (Field 2012a) (Field 2012b) (Provost 2016a) (Provost 2016b) All of this considered, I proposed to change the cooking time of the coffee cake recipe. Since coffee cake is famed for being crumbly, sweet, and toasty, I had intended on testing conditions that might bring out more of these attributes. However, these results were not achieved. After raising the cooking temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and maintaining the same cooking time, the Coffee Cake was notably harder and more solid. Additionally, the end product was significantly more dry. It would appear that at higher temperatures, the rate of evaporation increases such that the cake looses too much moisture and begins to burn.
  • Difficulty: Medium
Servings: 1 yield(s)
Prep Time: 60 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 90 mins
Ingredients
    Streusel Topping
  • 150 g brown sugar (In the streusel topping, the brown sugar, in part, reacts with the proteins in the flour in a Maillard Browning reaction (Field 2012a). Moreover, the specific usage of brown sugar introduces water to the caramelization process. Once in the oven, the presence of water breaks the sucrose in the sugar into glucose and fructose (Provost 2016b). The introduction of glucose and fructose changes the caramelization reaction somewhat. Instead of reacting simultaneously, the sugars react across a range of temperatures, giving the product a lighter color and restricting the reaction (Field 2012a).)
  • 96 g all-purpose flour (In the streusel topping, the flour adds proteins for both Maillard browning and gluten formation (Provost 2016a) (Field 2012a). These processes contribute to the flavor and structure of the resultant (Al-Dmoor 2013).)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch kosher salt (Here, kosher salt is used because it is grainier. Kosher salt has comparatively less surface area to react with other compounds or dissolve into a solution. Chemically, some of the salt would dry out this layer. For the most part, however, this salt provides a crunch. )
  • 113 g unsalted butter, softened (The butter makes the top layer more flakey and pastry-like. Chemically, the butter restricts gluten formation between the flour and the water within the brown sugar. Softened butter is used so the oils and fats may more easily surround the flour proteins, destabilizing the structure. This leaves the top layer more likely to break apart. (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016a) (Provost 2016b))
  • Cinnamon Layer
  • 50 g sugar (The sugar contributes to the sweet flavor of the cake. Since sugar is hydrophilic, it also contributes to the cake’s moistness. The sugar actively attracts water, locking in moisture during the baking process (Source 6). As in the streusel layer, the sugar, here, also reacts with the proteins in the flour to produce some Maillard Browning (Field 2012a).)
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (As in the streusel topping, the flour adds proteins for both Maillard browning and gluten formation (Provost 2016a) (Field 2012a). These processes contribute to the flavor and structure of the resultant (Al-Dmoor 2013).)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Cake Batter
  • 384 g all-purpose flour (As in the streusel topping and the cinnamon layer, flour adds proteins for both Maillard browning and gluten formation (Provost 2016a) (Field 2012a). These processes contribute to the flavor and structure of the resultant. (Al-Dmoor 2013). In the batter, especially, the flour plays a key structural role. The proteins in flour, namely glutenin and gliadin react with water to form gluten. This gluten forms strong bonds, stabilizing the cake (Asmi 2019).)
  • 450 g sugar (The sugar in the batter plays the same role as the sugar in the cinnamon layer. It contributes to the sweet flavor of the cake. Since sugar is hydrophilic, it also contributes to the cake’s moistness. The sugar actively attracts water, locking in moisture during the baking process (Provost 2016b). As in the streusel layer, the sugar, here, also reacts with the proteins in the flour to produce some Maillard Browning (Field 2012a).)
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder (Baking powder is a dry leavening agent consisting of sodium bicarbonate and a dried acid component. With the addition of water and heat, baking powder undergoes a reaction to produce carbon dioxide. This helps the cake rise as the resultant gas becomes trapped in the baking process. (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016a))
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda (Baking soda is a dry leavening agent consisting of sodium bicarbonate. It reacts in the presence of an acid to produce carbon dioxide. This helps the cake rise as the resultant gas becomes trapped in the baking process. (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016a))
  • 1/2 tsp salt (Salt, otherwise known as sodium chloride, is a very hydrophilic molecule. This is because sodium and chlorine have a large difference in electronegativity, resulting in the formation of iconic bonds when combined. In the cake, these properties trap moisture during the baking process. This trapped moisture helps in the formation of gluten, thus stabilizing the structure. (Al-Dmoor 2013) (Provost 2016a))
  • 227 g unsalted butter, softened (The butter makes the product more flakey and pastry-like. Chemically, the butter restricts gluten formation between the flour and the water within the brown sugar. Softened butter is used so the oils and fats may more easily surround the flour proteins, destabilizing the structure. This leaves the top layer more likely to break apart. (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016a) (Provost 2016b))
  • 227 g sour cream (Sour cream adds liquids, proteins, and fats to the cake. Most importantly, sour cream is an acid. Its inclusion allows for the baking soda to react and produce carbon dioxide. (Provost 2016a))
  • 1/4 cup whole milk (Milk adds liquid water, proteins, and fats to the recipe. The liquid water is a necessary component in gluten formation (Al-Dmoor 2013) (Provost 2016a). The liquid water also allows for the baking powder to react by hydrating the dried acid (Field 2012a).)
  • 4 large eggs (The primary role of the eggs is to add flavor and structure. The proteins in the eggs react with the sugar to produce some Maillard Browning (Field 2012a). Additionally, through the processes of denaturization and coagulation, the proteins in the egg untangle and reform as the cake rises (Field 2012a) (Provost 2016b). This allows for the cake to stand as carbon dioxide is produced and trapped during the baking process.)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F and spray the 9 x 13-inch pan with non-stick spray.
  2. 2. In a small bowl, combine 96g of the all-purpose flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Use a fork to mash the butter into the mixture until completely combined and crumbly. This will be the streusel layer.
  3. 3. In another small bowl, combine 50g sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  4. 4. In the large bowl, add 384g all-purpose flour, 450g sugar, ¾ baking powder. ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Using the paddle attachment for the mixer, stir on low to combine. Add 227g unsalted, softened butter and beat on low-speed for 2-3 minutes (until all of the butter is mixed in, and the mixture resembles moist sand).
  5. 5. In the medium bowl, whisk together 227g sour cream, ¼ cup whole milk, 4 large eggs, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until combined. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients. Beat the batter on medium speed until smooth (a few small lumps are fine and expected).
  6. 6. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar layer over the top of the batter evenly. Spread the remaining batter over the top (This may require some patience). Top with the crumble mixture.
  7. 7. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For ovens that run warm, start checking for doneness after 40 minutes. Cool on a rack for 1 hour (or until the cake comes to room temperature) before serving.
Recipe Notes

Azmi, M. M. Z.; Taip, F. S.; Kamal, S. M. M.; Chin, N. L. Effects of Temperature and Time on the Physical Characteristics of Moist Cakes Baked in Air Fryer. Journal of Food Science Technology [Online], 2019, 56(10), 4616-4624. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801284/ (accessed April 14, 2022). Al-Dmoor, H. M. Cake Flour: Functionality and Quality. European Scientific Journal [Online], 2013, 9(3), https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2013.v9n3p%25p (accessed April 14, 2022. Field, S. Q. Heating. In Culinary Reactions: The Everyday Chemistry of Cooking, Chicago Review Press, 2012; pp 171-185. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dickinson/reader.action?docID=776885&ppg=189 Field, S. Q. Foams. In Culinary Reactions: The Everyday Chemistry of Cooking, Chicago Review Press, 2012; pp 9-35. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dickinson/reader.action?docID=776885&ppg=26 Provost, J. J.; Colabroy, K. L.; Kelly, B. S.; Wallert, M. A. Bread, Cakes, and Pastry. In The Science of Cooking: Understanding the Biology and Chemistry Behind Food and Cooking, John Wiley and Sons, 2016; pp 343-380. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dickinson/reader.action?docID=4530809&ppg=363 Provost, J. J.; Colabroy, K. L.; Kelly, B. S.; Wallert, M. A. The Real Shape of Food: Molecular Basics. In The Science of Cooking: Understanding the Biology and Chemistry Behind Food and Cooking, John Wiley and Sons, 2016; pp 29-35. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dickinson/reader.action?docID=4530809&ppg=49 Rahe, Cindy. Classic Coffee Cake. Simply Recipes October 31, 2021, https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_coffee_cake/.