Cookie Recipes - Avoid These Three Common Mistakes!

Easy Recipe Finder

Recipe Feeder
Making cookies seems like an easy task: mix a few ingredients, pop
them into the oven, and presto! Fresh, homemade cookies. But, if
baking cookies are so easy, why do your cookies crumble with the
slightest touch, why are they so hard you could break a tooth, why are
they always burnt on the bottom? Despite how frustrating these
problems are, they are actually easily prevented.
One of the most common cookie complaints is dry dough, which usually
leads to either crumbly cookies or cookies that are hard and tough. To
prevent this, avoid adding any more flour than the recipe calls for.
This means measuring out your flour carefully, by either the dipping
or sifting methods. I prefer the dipping method, since it negates the
need for a sifter and usually gives you a better measurement.
To measure by dipping, simply dip the proper sized measuring cup into
your flour container. Level off flour with a straight-edged knife or
flat spatula. Do not tap the measuring cup or try to pack more flour
into the cup! You want to pack the brown sugar, not the flour.
If you are making cookies with cookie cutters, you will need to roll
out your dough before cutting. Recipes usually call for a lightly
floured surface to roll the dough out. However, this will add a little
more flour to your dough, which will only contribute to dry, crumbly
or hard cookies. Instead of using flour, use a light dusting of
confectioners' sugar to coat the surface and your rolling pin. This
will add a slight sweetness to your cookie, rather than drying the
dough further.
Another common problem is cookies that bake unevenly. This problem is
usually caused by one of two things, both of which are easily fixed.
The first step is to make sure you allow your oven to heat at least 20
minutes before putting in the first batch of cookies. Your oven may
say it's heated to the correct temperature, but that doesn't
necessarily mean that the center of the oven has reached that
temperature. Make sure to also place your cookie sheets in the middle
of the oven, not too close to any of the sides. This will help the
heat bake the cookies evenly across your sheets.
To prevent browning or burning on the bottom of your cookies, do not
use a dark-colored cookie sheet. Instead use a heavy-gauge sheet with
a dull finish. Aluminum is usually a very good choice.
Do not allow the cookies to bake more than the time recommended by the
recipe. Check the cookies at the minimum bake time. If they are not
done, then allow them to bake up to the high end of the recommended
time range. Do not allow the cookies to go beyond a lightly golden
color. Also, don't leave small cookies cooling too long on a cookie
sheet after they come out of the oven. The bottom of cookies will
continue to cook on the hot cookie sheet. Remove the cookies to a
cooling cake as soon as possible.
If your cookies are still baking unevenly or burning despite these
measures, place an oven thermometer in the center of your oven while
the oven if on. After 30 to 40 minutes, check that the thermometer
reads the same temperature that the oven dial does. If they are not in
agreement, then adjust your oven's temperature either up or down
accordingly.
These simple actions will help you bake the perfect cookie that not
only tastes good, but also looks good. Your friends and family will
think a professional baked them!
 
Top