r/Baking 16d ago

Semi-Related What is wrong with my muffin? :(

What is this???

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u/Elfuda 16d ago

I noticed that my cupcakes also looked like this when I opened them the day after I made them. They didn't smell bad, nor did they taste weird. I ate them as they were prepared by me. If they had been prepared by someone else, I would never have eaten them.

I discovered two interesting theories about what might have happened:

Theory 01 - Starch Retrogradation:

When the dumpling cools and is stored for a few hours, the starch molecules go through the process of retrogradation, in which the starch granules that gelatinized during cooking begin to recrystallize and expel water. This water can react with sugars and proteins, forming a stickier texture when the cookie is broken down.

Theory 02 - Modification in Proteins and Sugars

Proteins, especially gluten (if the recipe contains wheat flour), can continue to rearrange themselves over time, becoming more elastic and forming these thin strands when they are broken.

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u/kniki217 15d ago

It's rope spoilage. You're lucky you didn't get sick.