By: Ethan & Connie Cao

Have you ever thought of a 3D printer that can print any object like houses or even food? If you did, your wish has been granted by the Columbia University Engineers, who have created a 3D printer that can print edible food!

They used some ingredients that are used in a regular cake, such as flour and wheat. Once ready, the ingredients were placed into the 3D printer and printed out in layers to create a slice of cheesecake. The biggest challenge was keeping the desert’s shape. The scientists solved the issue by using sturdier ingredients to support the softer ones. It took eight attempts to get the proportions right.

The final product featured a layer of graham cracker paste and alternate layers of peanut butter and Nutella. Each section was topped with a banana purée or strawberry jam. The final step was to use new laser technology to bake the graham cracker layer. It took a total of 30 minutes to make the slice. The researchers unveiled their creation in the journal NPJ Science of Food on March 21, 2023.

The cake had the same texture and taste as a regular cake bought from a bakery! Tasty! Scientists believe they can add more details and create more food with the 3D printer. Maybe sometime soon in the future, we will be able to print our own cakes at home!