When to add vinegar in cake

When to add vinegar in cake

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Egg rationing during World War II may have initiated the development of cake recipes that used vinegar in place of eggs. Vinegar makes cake batter more acidic; the acidity, in turn, causes the proteins in the flour to set the cake as it bakes. This results in a cake that is fluffy yet still moist. You don't have to eliminate eggs to achieve the same effect; just use a little vinegar in a traditional cake recipe or with a boxed cake mix.

Substitution Options

Mix 1 tsp. vinegar into the dry ingredients.

Replace 1 tsp. baking powder in the recipe with 1/4 tsp. baking soda plus 1/2 tbsp. vinegar.

Substitute 1 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1 tbsp. water for one egg.

Tip

Avoid using more than 1 tbsp. vinegar total in a cake; this may give it a vinegary aftertaste.

References

  • "BakeWise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Baking"; Shirley Corriher; 2008
  • "Vim & Vinegar"; Melodie Moore; 1997
  • Colorado State University Extension: Ingredient Substitutions; P. Kendall; April 2008
  • "The Oxford Companion to Food"; Alan Davidson, et al.; 2006

Writer Bio

Petra Wakefield is a writing professional whose work appears on various websites, focusing primarily on topics about science, fitness and outdoor activities. She holds a Master of Science in agricultural engineering from Texas A&M University.

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When to add vinegar in cake

Vinegar is a surprisingly common ingredient in baked goods, considering that it has such a sharp flavor. But as an acid, vinegar is often included in cake and cookie batters to react with baking soda and start the chemical reaction needed to produce carbon dioxide and give those batters a lift as they bake. One of my favorite cake recipes takes advantage of this reaction: eggless chocolate cake. You can’t tell that the cake has vinegar in it when you taste the finished product and people are often surprised to hear that vinegar was included at all.

The two most frequently used in baking are white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. White vinegar has a sharp, even harsh, flavor if tasted alone, but it is a very simple flavor and does not really stand out when used in a complex batter. Cider vinegar, made from apples, has a faintly fruity flavor and is quite sweet compared to other types of vinegar. It’s very mild and works even better in batters because there is virtually no chance of any vinegar flavor surfacing in the finished product. Cider vinegar is my top choice in baking, but I don’t have a problem using white vinegar, either.

Balsamic vinegar is very popular at the moment and readers often ask if it can be used in place of other types of vinegar in recipes. The general rule here is that a recipe will call for balsamic if balsamic should be used. It can be used in other baking applications, but you should keep in mind that the flavor of balsamic vinegar is stronger than most other types of vinegar and it actually can show up in a finished product – especially if the cake is mildly flavored to begin with. Unless I wanted to play up the tangy flavor of the vinegar, or use it to contrast with a naturally sweet fruit, I would opt for white or cider before balsamic in most baked goods.

Vinegar is most commonly known for its use in cooking and cleaning. But did you know it’s also a great ingredient for baking? Let’s talk about it so you can learn how to use vinegar for baking bread or cakes for your next bake!

Vinegar can be a surprising addition to the arsenal of baking ingredients. But it is often found in baked goods because it reacts with baking soda. This creates carbon dioxide bubbles while cooking and it helps the batter rise in the oven.

What is the use of vinegar in baking?

Vinegar is a mild acid that helps break down the starches and proteins in your bread. It changes the pH levels of the batter. Adding it to your bread dough can help with good rise, moist crumb, an airy texture, and also enhances the flavour.

How vinegar improves the rise of bread

Vinegar dissolves the chemical connections that hold protein threads together in a twisted state. This causes the gluten to denature or unravel and “tenderise.” With repeated exposure, the unravelled gluten eventually collides to create new bonds. These linkages coagulate the proteins gradually, re-forming them into a more solid structure.

The air pockets created by gluten will burst if the dough isn’t mixed and risen correctly. Adding vinegar strengthens the gluten structure. This is especially helpful for short kneaded and quickly risen bread. It also provides a better environment for yeast fermentation which will accelerate the rising time.

How vinegar changes the bread’s crumb

Adding vinegar reduces the oxidation of the flour. This will make the bread taste bitter and less extensible. Including vinegar in bread will improve the texture and feel of the crumb by enhancing the crumb structure.

How vinegar improves the flavour of bread

Vinegar is made from acetic acid. This is an organic acid that appears naturally during yeast fermentation as part of the dough fermentation process. When bread is made quickly, a little bit of vinegar enhances the properties of the dough as if it had been made in a slow, more artisanal method. This makes bread taste more aromatic and lowers the pH value of the dough.

Does vinegar help bread stay fresh?

A dough with added vinegar will have a better shelf life. This is mainly to do with the lowering of the pH value of the bread. This environment is harder for bacteria to bread. Therefore, reducing the likelihood of mould developing.

Should I add vinegar to bread?

Vinegar is a great ingredient for those who wish to make their own dough or bread. A lot of vinegar kills the yeast when they are mixed together. It’s important not to leave them in contact for too long, but small amounts can be added without fear.

Will bread taste sour if I add vinegar?

Only if you add too much! But a single tablespoon of vinegar has a mild taste and won’t sour the dough. In contrast, it can help create a more flavourful dough as it slows down the yeast in its process. It also lengthens the lifespan of baked goods.

What do baking soda and vinegar do in baking?

Adding vinegar with baking soda is ideal for many types of cakes. They create a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide. This makes the baked products rise in the oven and results in a fluffy, moist texture. 

What vinegar is good for baking?

The most common type of vinegar for baking is plain white vinegar. It has a mild, uncomplicated flavour. Another one is cider vinegar, which is made from fermenting apples. This has a slightly sweeter flavour than white vinegar. But neither type leaves an aftertaste behind when you use it in baked goods when used sparingly.

Is it necessary to add vinegar to cake?

Yes! With all the benefits that it can do to cakes, it should be necessary. Always consider that adding vinegar to cakes can result in your cake being great! A dash of vinegar will make your cake moister while baking. Not to mention that adding acidic ingredients will cut through the sweetness. 

What can I use if I don’t have vinegar?

Although it’s usually used for cooking, lemon juice can be substituted in baking. If your recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white vinegar, you can use a 1/3 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This ratio can retain your desired consistency, but it will alter the flavour a little bit. 

Can I skip adding vinegar to a cake recipe?

Skipping vinegar from your recipe might not be that good of an idea. While yes, the flavour profile of your cake will surely be the same even if you skipped it. But the texture, lightness, and tenderness of your cake will not be present. So it’s really best to use it if the recipe says so.

How much vinegar do I substitute for an egg?

Vinegar is a natural way to bake your cake if you don’t want to use eggs. It works well as an egg substitute in cake, cupcake, and muffin recipes. Although it doesn’t contain protein or fat it will still improve the structure and rise as an egg would. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda along with 1 tablespoon of vinegar to replace 1 whole egg. If your recipe calls for two or more eggs, just adjust the amount of baking soda and vinegar with the same ratio.

What happens when you add vinegar to cake?

1 Vinegar makes cakes rise. This is exactly the scientific reaction that happens when you let vinegar react with the baking soda in your cakes. When they combine, they release carbon dioxide, a gas that helps cakes and cupcakes rise as they bake.

Can vinegar be used as a cake preservative?

Natural preservatives are additives that slow the growth of spoilage organisms like mold or bacteria in baked goods. They also function to limit changes in color, texture and flavor. As well as being effective, the consumer expects them to be derived from natural sources, such as: Vinegar.

Can I use vinegar and baking powder in cake?

In fact, the acidic pH of vinegar is perfect for use as a substitute for baking powder. Vinegar has a leavening effect when paired with baking soda in cakes and cookies.

What happens when you add vinegar to flour?

Vinegar cuts down on flour oxidation, resulting in a superiorly moist crumb and a lightweight texture. So, if you're one who enjoys a fluffy, airy loaf of bread, you will want to include vinegar in your bread recipe.