Factors affecting 3D printing and post-processing capacity of cookie dough

This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the printability and post-processing capacity of cookie dough in extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing by modifying the recipe without the addition of gums or stabilizers. Cookie dough formulations with different types of fat (butter and shortening), flour (wheat, rice, and tapioca), the amount of non-fat milk (32.5 or 65 g/100 g flour), and the sugar level (37.5 or 55 g/100 g flour) were investigated for their printability and post-processing capacity. Rheological properties, microstructure, and printability of printing inks were monitored while the moisture loss and dimensional stability after baking were analyzed in printed and baked structures, respectively. Results indicated that cookie dough formulations with reduced sugar content were more printable. The best sample to build a shape that could withstand the baking process was the recipe of 37.5 g sugar, 62.5 g shortening, 100 g tapioca flour, and 32.5 g milk, which yielded printed cookie samples with the ease of printing, better visual printing outcomes, and no structural deformation after baking. 3D food printing is an emerging technology with many potential applications in the food industry. It is important to understand the effects of key components of food materials on the printing, which enable a wider range of structures just using a single nozzle, and provide tailored nutrition and personalization in extrusion-based 3D printing. Understanding the effects of food processing on 3D printed food items is critical to broadening its applications. This study selected cookie dough as a model system to investigate the 3D food printing since it is mainly composed of fat, sugar, flour, and milk that are the most common ingredients in many food products. Establishing knowledge of the interactions between different food components and contribution of each individual ingredient may help develop a guideline for extrusion-based 3D food printing. In addition, the results acquired from this study can fill knowledge gaps regarding the role of cookie dough component in 3D printing and their effects on post-processing of 3D printed foods.