Better baking: AAK rolls out new flavored shortening flakes

The flakes work well in a variety of applications – from cakes to pie doughs to biscuits – and the new flavor options – including juicy orange, vanilla and butter – are bang on trend.

“Our Customer Innovation Team recently developed several new sweet baked good concepts to showcase the functional advantages our flavored flakes provide,” ​said Dr James Jones, VP of Customer Innovation, AAK USA.

“There are many facets to functionality, but we like to think about it in terms of how it helps a customer achieve their goals. In addition to delivering flavor and color stability, flakes are much easier for Warehousing and Production to handle and incorporate into dough and dry mixes than traditional packaged shortening.​

“This also translates into reductions in labor cost, waste and processing time for customers.”​

He added the company’s new flavored flake shortenings can eliminate entire steps in the manufacturing process.

“Our new flavors are sure to inspire new ideas and drive innovation.”​

How to use them

AAK illustrated the use of its flavored shortening flakes in the following non-hydrogenated, zero trans and low-in-saturated fat concepts:

• Chiffon snack cake​ The Juicy Orange and Vanilla flavored flakes can be combined for a decadent cake. Flaked shortening can be easily incorporated into a dry ingredient mix, especially when combined with granulated salt or sugar. The higher melting point of flakes also provides a great heat tolerance to withstand friction created by processing.
• Apple turnover​ Butter flavored flakes give a touch of indulgence to a pie dough encasing an apple filling. Flakes are easily dispersed throughout the dough, providing uniform distribution of fat with pockets of flavor that are consistent throughout the baked goods. These flakes also produce a tender crumb that resists toughening and is ideal for pie crusts.