Why is flour used in baking?

Flour provides the structure in baked goods. Flour contains proteins that interact with each other when mixed with water, forming gluten. It is this elastic gluten framework which stretches to contain the expanding leavening gases during rising.Cake flour is a soft wheat flour that is 7.5 percent protein. The lower gluten content causes products to have a tender, crumbly texture that is desirable in cakes.