Cookies have always been one of my favorite treats and over the years I have learned a lot about the subtlties that go into making a perfect cookie. Here are some of the basics that everyone should know before starting out.
1. The Mixing Process
It’s really quite simple and there are two steps that lead to perfection. Always start out by creaming together the sugars, fats and eggs (and a touch of flavoring extract when called for). You want this mixture to be well incorporated and airy before adding in your dry ingredients. Always in a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, cocoa, etc. Sift these together so that they are well combined and then add to the wet ingredients until JUST incorporated, not a moment more to maintain a perfect dough.
2. Temperature Makes the Difference
You can actually play with the baking temperature to achieve a chewy gooey factor that you prefer. Higher temperatures (350-375 degrees F) with a shorter baking time yield a cookie that isn’t as spread out but will have a nicely browned outside and a just cooked inside. If a thinner slightly crisper cookie is your goal, then consider a lower temperature (325-350 degrees F) and bake longer to allow the dough to spread more before it sets up.
3. The Perfect Timing
I have to admit this can be tricky unless you have a great oven. I have that classic New York City micro-oven so I’m constantly peaking to see what the progress is of my cookies. Get to know your oven to determine if on average you need the shorter bake time or longer. A general rule of thumb is to aim for the shorter, check and decide if they need to go a little longer. Don’t be afraid to test that first round of cookies. The final set-up is achieved during the cooling phase, so you may discover that once the cookie has cooled it’s easier to establish if you need to bake an extra minute or two. But really you can’t go wrong here, it’s more a matter of preference when it comes to the chewy versus crispy.
4. Experiment
Most recipes have the key ingredient that makes it what it is. Chocolate chip cookies have, well, chocolate chips, while oatmeal raisin cookies often contain nuts and of course raisins. Feel free to get creative with these key ingredients and throw in something new to the mix. Just half the ingredient or replace it all together for something fresh and new.
That’s really all there is to it, these four basic fundamentals will have you baking amazing cookie treats in no time and creating some new and fun twists of your own.