How to Bake a Perfectly Textured Cookie
Simple Steps and Techniques For Baking a Great Cookie Every Time!
Some people think that the only way to produce a good cookie requires some kind of magical natural ability that does not come to everyone. In truth, anyone can produce a great cookie if only they take the time to try. Sometimes trial and error is a necessary part of the process, but if you keep trying, you will find that you will eventually produce great results.
Find a Great Recipe
Whether you learn one from a friend or something appeals to you from a cookbook, find a recipe that you want to make.
Set the Oven
Before you begin mixing your recipe, preheat your oven. Most ovens turn on and off after they have heated up so the sooner you preheat the better, about a half an hour before the first batch goes in is perfect and allows the heat to maintain a temperature. Investing in an external oven thermostat will produce even better results because a preheated oven will not tell you when the heat decreases.
Have Everything You Need Readily Available
There is nothing worse than starting a recipe and finding out that you are out of eggs or vanilla extract. Ensure that you have everything before you get started. A good way to do that is to get all of your ingredients out before combining them.
Know the Weather
The humidity actually effects the way your cookie bakes and the eventual texture. When there is low humidity outside increase the amounts of butter used in the recipe or decrease the amount of flower. This is a part that will require a couple of tries; however, the results are well worth it.
Throw Away Your Dark Pans and Get a Stainless Steel One
Dark pans are wonderful because they do not cause sticking. However, for baking dark pans are rarely recommended. Because of the darkness of the pan, the surface heats faster than other pans and will produce darker bottom while leaving the edges and the top of your cookie undone. Stainless steel pans are considered the best types of pans for baking; they distribute heat evenly and hold their temperature.
Say Goodbye to Non-stick Spray
Using non-stick spray actually changes the texture of the cookie because you are adding moisture. Instead, purchase some parchment paper, which perfectly prevents sticking and does not interfere with the baking process.
Follow the Directions
There are some things you can change about a recipe like how much of an ingredient to use or omitting an item altogether. However, if the recipe calls for room temperature eggs, then use them. If it calls for softened butter, then soften your butter. These are important elements of a great cookie.
Do Not Over Bake
Most recipe’s call for baking until the edges are light brown, however many people do not take them out at this point because they see that the tops are still not done. At this point, remove the cookie sheet and place it on top of the oven. The heat from the oven will continue baking the cookie (as will the heat in the cookie) and after about five minutes, the cookie will be perfectly done.
Let the Oven Reheat
After you remove your cookie sheet, do not automatically place a new sheet in the oven because you have just let all of the heat out. Instead, give it ten minutes to heat back up to the proper temperature.
Cool on Wire Rack
Cooling on a wire rack helps the cookie cool faster and prevents stickiness.
Before long your friends will be asking you for your baking secrets!
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