If you go to a bakery, most of the time you’ll see pastry and cake. But what is the difference?
Pastry is a term used for desserts that are made from dough and usually sweetened with sugar and eggs. Pastries can be eaten on their own or with toppings like ice-cream or whipped cream. Cake is called such because it’s traditionally made from cake batter, which is a mixture of flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and milk.
The batter is poured into a pan and baked in an oven until set. It can be filled with fruits or creams or iced in different flavors. Although they may seem similar at first glance, these two sweets have some contrasting qualities that make them unique in their own right!
What is the difference between pastry and cake?
Pastries are made from dough and eggs, while cakes are typically made from cake batter. Pastries can be eaten on their own or with toppings like creams or ice-cream, whereas cake is served best with cream filling or icing.
Pastries are usually denser than cake because they’re made out of dough that contains eggs, which makes them stick together better. This makes pastry more of a breakfast staple as the denser texture will keep you full for longer. However, cakes have more air incorporated into them as they’re more likely to rise during the cooking process. This means that cakes are often lighter and fluffier than pastries and more suitable as a dessert after a meal.
Pastry tends to be sweeter because it’s usually sweetened with sugar, while cake is iced in different flavors like chocolate or vanilla.
The differences between pastry and cake make them good for different occasions! With these differences in mind, you can make a decision about which dessert is best for your needs!
Differences in ingredients
The first difference is in the ingredients. Pastries are generally made with dough, eggs, and sugar. Cake, on the other hand, is made with cake batter which typically contains flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and milk.
How they are baked
Another difference between pastry and cake is the way they are baked. Pastries are usually prepared by rolling dough into a thin layer. These layers are then stacked, filled with various creams or fruits, and then cut into desired shapes, like triangles or circles. The final product is often sweetened with sugar and eggs. Cakes are typically made from batter that is mixed with flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and milk. Batter is poured into a pan and baked in an oven until set. The final product can be iced or frosted in one of many flavors to match any palate!
Differences in appearance
Pastries are usually found in individual portions while cakes are typically found in full sizes. Pastries are mostly sweet, although there are exceptions like savory pasties. Cakes are sweeter, but they can be made with savory ingredients too.
Conclusion
The difference between pastry and cake is that cake is usually denser, sweeter, and has frosting. Pastry is typically lighter, less sweet, and may not have frosting. Pastry is typically baked in a tart or pie dish, while cake may be baked in a cake pan or muffin tin. The shape of the pastry can vary, but typically it is rectangular. The shape of the cake can vary, but typically it is circular.
