From Flaky Pastry to Homemade Playdough: Experiment with Texture
Even though the ingredients for pies, bread, empanadas, or cookies are mostly the same, the texture can vary significantly. Some doughs are compact and crumbly, others are tender, and some, like flaky pastry, develop layers that create a crispy texture. The secret behind these differences lies in the interaction between ingredients and the preparation process.
In this post, we explore how gluten and fat affect dough texture. To make it more hands-on, we’ve included a fun sensory activity for kids: making homemade playdough using ingredients similar to those found in a pie crust. Through this activity, children can experience firsthand how ingredients influence elasticity and consistency before applying these concepts in the kitchen.
If you’re looking for the perfect flaky pie crust, check out this recipe: Homemade Pie Crust: Flaky, Buttery, and Easy to Make.
Flaky pastry dough consists of three main ingredients: flour, water, and some type of fat. The fat can be of animal origin, such as butter or lard, or plant-based, such as vegetable shortening, oil, or margarine. The magic of a flaky texture happens due to the interaction between these ingredients and the preparation process.
Gluten Formation
Gluten is a protein that forms when gluten-containing flours, such as wheat, rye, or barley, interact with water and are kneaded. This process creates an elastic network that traps gases and gives structure to baked goods.
All-purpose wheat flour contains moderate levels of gluten, making it a preferred choice for bread, cookies, and pastries. Whole wheat flour, although it has a similar gluten content to refined flour, contains fibre and bran, which interfere with gluten formation, resulting in a denser and less elastic dough.
On the other hand, gluten-free flour, such as rice or corn flour, does not form gluten at all. In many cases, stabilizers like xanthan gum must be added to mimic the elasticity that gluten provides in baked goods.
Each type of flour has different gluten levels and unique properties, making it challenging to swap one for another in traditional recipes without affecting the texture or structure of the final product.
The Role of Fat in Dough Texture
Fat plays a crucial role in the texture of the dough, especially in pie crusts. It acts as a barrier between flour particles, preventing excessive gluten formation. This is why an overworked dough with too much gluten can become tough (which has happened to me!). Additionally, different fats provide different properties.
Here’s a comparison of how different fats affect texture, flavour, and handling,
| Fat | Texture | Flavor | Handling | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | Flaky, crisp | Rich, slightly sweet, complex | Can be sticky if not cold | Sweet and flaky crusts |
| Vegetable Shortening | Soft, uniform | Neutral | Very easy to work with | Stable, firm crusts |
| Lard | Extremely flaky and tender | Mild, slightly savoury | Easy to handle | Savoury pies, quiches |
| Oil | Dense, crumbly | Depends on the type of oil | Difficult to manipulate | Rustic or crumbly dough |
As the dough bakes, water from the fat evaporates, creating steam that lifts the dough layers and produces a flaky texture. Solid fats like butter and lard create well-defined layers while shortening and oil create more tender, but less flaky crusts.
For the flakiest results, keep the fat cold and handle the dough gently to keep the fat solid until baking. If the fat melts too soon, the layers won’t form properly, and the crust will be dense instead of light and crisp crust.
If you’re interested in learning more about food science, I highly recommend the book On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee. It’s an incredibly detailed resource that explains how ingredients and cooking processes work. A lot of the information shared in this post comes from this book.
Exploring Dough Textures Through Play
We’ve seen how the combination of flour, water, and fat determines dough texture and how gluten affects elasticity. But what if we tried making a dough with similar ingredients, but for a completely different purpose?
To explore these concepts in a hands-on way, I suggest a fun activity for kids: making homemade playdough with ingredients similar to a flaky pie crust. While this dough isn’t edible, it’s a great way to observe how flour, liquids, and fats influence texture.
By kneading and shaping the dough, kids can feel how its consistency changes depending on the amount of liquid or fat added. It’s a playful and engaging way to see the effects of ingredients on structure before applying the concepts in real baking.
Try it at home with this easy step-by-step guide!
Activity: Homemade No-Cook Homemade Playdough
Materials:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 6 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil
- Food coloring
Instructions:
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to ensure an even distribution.
Step 2: Add the Liquids
Gradually add water while mixing with a spoon or spatula. Add the oil and food colouring at this stage. Mix until the ingredients start to come together.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Once combined, knead the dough with your hands. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour (one teaspoon at a time). If it’s too dry, add a few drops of water.
Step 4: Adjust the Consistency
Continue kneading until the dough is soft and moldable, similar to store-bought playdough. Divide it into sections and add different food colouring to create a variety of colourful playdough.
Step 5: Play & Store
Let the kids shape, squish, and mould their dough! Store leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag to keep them from drying out.
Optional: Cooking the Dough for Longer Use
If you want longer-lasting homemade playdough, follow these steps:
- Transfer the mixed dough to a non-stick pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. The mixture will start sticky but will thicken as it cooks.
- Once the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball, remove it from heat.
- Let it cool completely before kneading to ensure a smooth, pliable texture.
Storage & Reheating
- Uncooked Dough: Lasts 1-2 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Cooked Dough: Can last 2-3 months in an airtight container. To keep it fresh, store it in a cool, dry place, or in the refrigerator if you live in a warm climate.
Esta es una actividad sensorial muy divertida que te permite explorar cómo los ingredientes afectan la textura. ¡Mira el video y anímate a probarlo en casa!
What Do We Learn from This Activity?
This homemade playdough activity is more than just fun, it’s a way for kids to explore basic food science and chemistry concepts while engaging their senses. Here’s what they’ll discover:
👆 How ingredients affect texture – Kids can see how adding more flour makes it drier and crumbly, while more water makes it softer and stickier.
🧈 Fats impact dough – Oil coats the flour and prevents excessive gluten formation, making the dough soft and easy to mould.
✋🤚 Sensory and fine motor skills – The hands-on kneading and shaping help strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, essential for everyday tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
This simple activity connects everyday kitchen ingredients to science and creativity!
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