A team of engineers from Columbia University and Pace University have used a 3D printer to manufacture multi-layered cakes and cheesecakes using seven key ingredients. The base layer of each cake was made from graham crackers, while peanut butter and Nutella were used as supporting layers for softer ingredients such as fruit and jam. The cakes were then baked with high-precision lasers, heated with great accuracy, similar to toasting a crème brûlée with a live flame but controlled to the pinnacle of precision. While the cakes have not been tested for taste, the experiment demonstrated the 3D printer’s ability to produce multi-layered dishes composed of numerous ingredients with high precision.
The researchers admit that these “digital cooking” methods are considered ultra-processed foods and can be harmful to health, however, they maintained that the precision-firing method for cooking the cakes would help solve this problem. The method makes it possible to calibrate with precision the nutrient and calorie content of food, making it easier to achieve personalized nutrition for people with eating disorders. Additionally, 3D printing could make food production more sustainable as ingredients could be sourced and processed locally for distribution. The technology could also significantly reduce food waste, as users could print only the ingredients that they need.
While it remains to be seen if 3D-printed cakes will soon be available in the market, the study indicates that this technology is set to play a crucial role in the future of food production.