Listed below are the steps involved in making shortbread, including the ingredients and the manufacturing process. In addition, this article covers packaging and quality control. Read on to learn more. We’ll also talk about the quality control measures used to ensure a high-quality product. After learning about the processes, you’ll be ready to make shortbread at home. It’s time to learn about the ingredients, manufacturing process, and packaging!
Ingredients
Shortbread is often shaped like a finger and is available in various shapes. Most of the commercially available shortbreads are made in round shapes and are cut into pieces while hot, making them ideal for packing. Traditionally, shortbread was a big round cookie that was made by pinching dough between the thumb and finger. Today, shortbreads are produced in factories using a mixture of natural ingredients and chemical rising agents. Most of the major ingredients are delivered to bakeries in bulk and are stored in stainless-clad steel silos. The internal environment of these baking plants must be maintained and monitored to ensure consistent quality and freshness.
Commercial bakeries employ sophisticated equipment to make shortbreads. Their tunnels are approximately 300 feet long and contain sensitive temperature controls. During the baking process, many chemical changes occur, which requires careful attention to detail. The ovens used in commercial bakeries have temperature controls on each section and are equipped with doorways for observation. The controlled cooling of the shortbread ensures that it retains its freshness and flavor, and that it won’t develop condensation when packaged.
Manufacturing process
In the manufacturing process of short bread, the ingredients are processed into a dough that will later be shaped into individual cookies. The resulting dough comes in various shapes, such as squares, triangles, and rectangular plates. A molding machine is usually used to mold the dough into individual cookies. The thickness of the dough is critical; if it is too thick, it will be too doughy. If it is too thin, it will be too crisp or burnt. This mold helps to give each cookie a uniform shape when baking.
Once the dough is mixed with the yeast, it is then added to water, followed by shortening and salt. Salt and shortening interfere with the gluten network and inhibit the dough from rising properly, which results in compressed and low volume bread. This step also involves pre-fermentation, which takes about 6 hours at 30degC. Once the dough is ready, it is kneaded again.
Packaging
Commercially produced short bread is packaged to retain its shape and preserve its quality. It is made with white flour, a component obtained from wheat seeds. Wheat seeds are composed of three layers: the outer coat, the germ, and the endosperm. The endosperm is the part that contains protein and starch, which gives the dough its structure. Because of its structure, shortbread can be rolled and stretched without breaking.
Commercially-produced shortbreads are often made into round shapes, and are then cut into pieces while still hot. This allows for easier packaging. While some shortbread biscuits are finger-sized, many others are rectangular in shape. Shortbread dough is easy to form and decorate, so some bakeries use forks to cut images into the dough before baking. Other bakeries use chocolate or decorate their products with dried fruit or nuts, and some manufacturers add flavorings to their shortbread.
Quality control
Good manufacturing procedures are a fundamental part of the food manufacturing process. They ensure that food is produced in accordance with the right process and meets a standard of goodness. Good manufacturing procedures are especially important as COVID-19 makes use of specialised PPE for food handling more important. In addition, incorporating stringent hygiene practices into production processes is now a legal requirement. Sage Business Cloud X3 provides both greater flexibility and efficiency in a production setting.
When developing the recipe, keep in mind that the sensory attributes are based on the desired taste, aroma, and texture. You must include exact specifications for each of these attributes. These specifications will serve as work instructions for employees. Other aspects that should be addressed include the transportation and storage of ingredients, the equipment and dough hook attachment. This article will explain how to implement quality control when making short bread in a factory setting. Here are some common steps to follow: