Feature

What links chemistry, cakes and colour?

By 2023-06-12T07:20:00

A cake on a stand with a piece taken out on a paper napkin. The cake is colourfully decorated and has sprinkles baked into the batter.

Source: © JFunk/Shutterstock

Discover how regulations spoil the look of our sweet treats – and the chemistry behind it all

There’s nothing worse than runny sprinkles in your Funfetti™ cake. The problem is, in the UK and Europe, it’s harder than it is in the US to find sprinkles you can bake without the colours bleeding and fading. This is due to stricter regulations associated with the artificial colours in them. So, our sprinkle cakes can end up looking a little lacklustre. Read the article to discover the science behind why some sweet treats are brighter than others.

Separate the water-soluble dyes in confectionery using chromatography techniques in the classroom with your 11–14 learners. Download the student worksheet, teacher and technician notes and Powerpoint slides to run this fun alternative to a core chemistry practical in your classroom.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.