why are steam-leavened products often baked at two temperatures course hero

by Carroll Larson 4 min read

Why is steam used for leavening in baking?

*Because all baked goods contain water or another liquid (milk, eggs, etc.). *Sponge cakes, popovers, choux pastry rely heavily on steam for leavening. -Steam is an extremely powerful leavener: it occupies over 1,600 times more space than water.

What are the pros and cons of steam in baking?

*Sponge cakes, popovers, choux pastry rely heavily on steam for leavening. -Steam is an extremely powerful leavener: it occupies over 1,600 times more space than water. Very hot ovens often maximize leavening from steam. Delays setting of crust. Allows bread to rise higher. Results in crisper, glossier, thinner crust.

Why is steam a physical leavener?

Steam forms when water, milk, eggs, syrups, or any other moisture-containing ingredient is heated. It is classified as a physical leavener because the conversion of water to steam is considered a physical change; steam is then also called a physical leavener Name a baked good leavened primarily by steam.

What happens when steam is added to the batter?

When moist batters are introduced to high temperatures, the liquid in the batter rapidly transforms into steam. The steam becomes trapped within the batter, which solidifies as it is baked. Steam is used as a leavener in foods such as popovers, cream puffs, and pie crusts.

What is steam leavening?

In baking: Steam leavening. All leavened products rely to some extent on water-vapour pressure to expand the vesicles or gas bubbles during the latter stages of baking, but some items also utilize the leavening action produced by the rapid buildup of steam as the interior of the….

What is the use of ethanol in baking?

use in baking. In baking: Entrapped air and vapour. The vaporization of volatile fluids (e.g., ethanol) under the influence of oven heat can have a leavening effect.

What is a leavener in baking?

Leaveners are used in baked goods to improve texture and visual appearance. They create air pockets within a dough or batter to give the final product a light, fluffy texture. In general, leaveners can be divided into three categories: physical, biological, or chemical. Carbon dioxide gas is most often responsible for the leavening action in baked ...

What is the gas responsible for baking?

Carbon dioxide gas is most often responsible for the leavening action in baked goods and can be produced by biological agents like yeast, or chemical agents such as baking soda and baking powder . The Spruce / Emily Mendoza.

What is the best leavener for a batter?

Since the reaction occurs rapidly, baking soda is an ideal leavener for soft or weak batters like pancakes, muffins, and other quick breads. Buttermilk, vinegar, yogurt, or even cocoa powder can be used as the acid in this reaction.

What are the two types of leaveners?

There are two types of physical leaveners: air and steam. Air is often incorporated into batters when butter and sugar are creamed together. Briskly whisking butter (or another solid fat) with sugar traps small pockets of air within the fat. Air can also be used as a leavener when whipping egg whites or cream.

What happens when you bake moist batter?

When moist batters are introduced to high temperatures, the liquid in the batter rapidly transforms into steam. The steam becomes trapped within the batter, which solidifies as it is baked. Steam is used as a leavener in foods such as popovers, cream puffs, and pie crusts.

Why is yeast used in bread?

Warmth speeds up this reaction, although it is still relatively slow. Because yeast produces carbon dioxide at a slow rate, it is often used in breads that have a strong gluten matrix that can hold the gas in for long periods of time.

What is the second physical leavener?

On a smaller scale, sifting flour also traps a small amount of air and can offer a minimal level of leavening action. The second physical leavener is steam. When water converts to steam, the volume increases by approximately 1,600 times its original size.

Why do baked goods need air?

Air. All baked goods rely on air for leavening. This is because all batters and doughs contain air trapped during mixing, stirring, whipping, sifting, folding, etc. Sponge cakes and angel food cake rely heavily on air for leavening: they contain lots of air bubbles whipped into egg whites.

Why is air important in baking?

Because it is already a gas. Air's important role in leavening: provides empty space for gases, like steam, to expand into.

What is the name of the gas that breaks down and gives off CO2?

An alkali; raises pH of batter/dough. Also called sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda. Breaks down and gives off CO2 gas in presence of water and heat. Not practical for leavening because of off-flavors, excessive browning, and yellow or green discoloration of crumb.

What is leavening agent?

Leavening agents can be categorized as: -Physical (mechanical) Water/steam. Air.

How long does yeast stay in the fridge?

Compressed yeast: refrigerate 2 weeks; freeze 2-4 months. Active dry yeast: unopened, up to 24 months at room temperature; opened, several months at room temperature. Instant yeast: unopened, up to 24 months at room temperature; opened, several months or more when refrigerated, or freeze. Chemical Leavening Agents:

What is the role of air in leavening?

Air's important role in leavening: provides empty space for gases, like steam, to expand into. Without these empty spaces, leavening gases would have no place to go except out. Empty spaces can be: air bubbles or air cells in batters and doughs. gaps of space between layers in laminated doughs. Leavening Gasses.

What percentage of flour is salt?

Amount of salt in final dough: generally falls between narrow range of 1.8-2.2 percent of weight of flour. Amount of Sugar. At low amounts of sugar (baguettes, pan bread): The more sugar, the faster the fermentation. At high amounts of sugar (brioche, Danish, stollen): Fermentation is very slow.