The chemistry of cookies

1. By: Tori Thurmond

2. • Spreading
• Rising
• The development of
flavors (Npr.org 1)
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/wp-
content/uploads/2013/12/cropped-chocolate-chip-cookies-
stacked.jpg

3. • 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

4. • 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_th
e_oven,_March_2008.jpg

5. • 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/CaramelStage
4.jpg

6. 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)

7. • These reactions do not only apply to cookies!!!
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/food/ic/food_16x9_448/recipes/fairycakes_93711_16x9.jp
g
http://www.jamesbeard.org/sites/default/files/styles/recipe_335x285/public/recipes/beard
-baking-powder-istock.jpg

8. • 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>.