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Swearing off baking because your cookies always come out hard as rocks? Don’t let disappointing results get you down. We’re here to take your baking skills to a new level. Below are simple tips that will turn your batch of homemade cookies soft, chewy and delicious:
Checking the Baking Time
Because cookies are much smaller than other baked goods, you have to keep an eye on the baking time. If the baking time goes beyond the required length, you could end up with very hard, almost crispy cookies.
You want to monitor the baking time and give the cookies enough time to cook once they are removed from the oven. If the cookies are starting to brown lightly along the edges, remove them from the oven even if they appear slightly soft on the top. The leftover heat from the baking sheet and the cookies themselves will cook the batch through. Leave the cookies to cool for several minutes before transferring them in a wire rack to cool completely.
Measure Your Ingredients
When it comes to baking, there is no room for error. That’s why your measurements should be exact. Too much flour can cause the batch to become hard as stone. As you incorporate your ingredients, make sure the flour is whisked before measuring it. Never pack the flour into the cup or you will end up with more flour than what the recipe requires. Just scoop the flour with a measuring cup then level it off by sliding a spatula across the cup.
Choose Sweetener Wisely
Did you know that the kind of sweetener you used to bake your cookies would affect their texture? White sugar will cause your cookies to take on a crunchier, crispier texture. On the other hand, using brown sugar, honey, molasses or even corn syrup could change your cookies’ texture to chewy, soft and dense. So the next time your recipe calls for white sugar, opt for brown or honey instead!
Chilling the Dough
Yes, the temperature of the dough will affect the texture of the cookies. If you want to achieve chewier, softer cookies, consider chilling the cookie dough first. Fluid cookie dough tends to spread out when you place in on the baking pan. As the cookie bakes, it becomes flatter, less chewy. By chilling the dough, it becomes thicker and less prone to spreading once placed on the pan. The result? Super chewy cookies!
Maintaining Ideal Texture
To maintain your cookies soft, chewy texture, you have to store them properly. Store the cookies in an airtight container and keep the container in a cool dry place. Do not store the cookies in airtight containers if they haven’t cooled down completely. If you do, the cookies will stick together, turning into a gooey mess!
It helps if you add a small slice of bread or apple inside the container to keep them soft. The moisture from the bread or apple will be absorbed by the cookies, maintaining their chewiness for longer.
Baking Soda
If you want to achieve a super soft center in every cookie try this trick: add about ¼ teaspoon of baking powder with ¼-teaspoon baking soda.