Baking cookies is relatively straight forward, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you turn out the perfect batch. Ten things you can do, as a matter-of-fact!
- Use the best quality ingredients. They'll produce the tastiest cookies.
- Always use large-sized eggs, unsalted butter and nuts, and pure extracts of vanilla or almond.
- Successful baking relies on the correct ratio of ingredients, so be sure to measure accurately.
- Most cookie recipes call for all-purpose flour. For the best results, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Do not sift unless the recipe specifically says to do so.
- Unless you are baking with non-stick pans and cookie sheets, use parchment paper for stick-free baking and easy clean-up.
- Chill dough for cut-out cookies. Soften it up at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling out.
- Leave two inches of space between cookies so they don't spread into each other.
- Adjust baking times to achieve the cookie texture you crave. A little less time produces chewier cookies; a little more time makes them crispy.
- Bake bar cookies in the pan size indicated in the recipe.
- Cool cookies completely before decorating.
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