Cookie Baking Problems

Homemade cookies are popular all year long, and it's no wonder why. There's nothing quite like a soft and chewy homemade cookie, but sometimes homemade cookies don't turn out so wonderful. Sometimes problems occur when baking cookies, but it's easy to diagnose and correct certain problems that occur during the baking process.

The following information will help those baking homemade cookies figure out why their cookies aren't coming out of the oven looking as they should. This information provides tips and suggestions for baking homemade cookies, and these tips and suggestions will provide answers to questions and help those who bake homemade cookies solve specific problems. Your homemade cookies will never again turn out flat, burned on the bottom, or burned around the edges.

Flat Cookies

Who wants a cookie that looks more like a pancake? Cookies turning out flat are one of the most common baking problems. Flat cookies aren't as appetizing in appearance, and they aren't nearly as good, especially chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are supposed to be thick and chewy, not flat and lumpy.

If your cookies are turning out flat, make sure your cookie sheets are cool before you place dough on them. If the cookie sheets are warm, the dough will immediately start to melt and spread out.

If your cookie dough contains butter, try chilling the dough before baking. A warm kitchen is sometimes enough to make the dough too soft. If necessary, while the cookies are baking, place the dough in the refrigerator to keep it well chilled.

Also, if your recipe calls for butter or margarine, don't use margarine that comes in a tub. A recipe that calls for softened margarine or butter is referring to butter or margarine that has softened on the kitchen counter, not soft spreadable margarine. Spreadable margarine has a high water content, and if you use spreadable margarine, your cookies will most certainly turn out flat. Use margarine that comes in stick form that is labeled for baking purposes, or use genuine butter.

Don't settle for flat unappetizing cookies. Try the tips and suggestions listed here, and chances are your previously flat cookies will turn out thick, chewy, and delicious.

Burned Edges, Bottoms, and Uneven Baking

Cookies that burn around the edges are anything but appetizing, and we've all been offered homemade cookies that were darker around the edges than they should have been. Likewise, cookies can appear perfect on top and burn past the point of recognition on the bottom.

If your cookies are burning on the bottom or around the edges, chances are your oven is too hot. Obtain an oven thermometer and check the temperature of your oven for accuracy. Make the appropriate adjustment before doing any further baking.

Parchment Paper

If you want your cookies to come out looking perfect every time, besides following the tips and suggestions here, try lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper can be reused for subsequent batches of cookies, so don't let the cost of parchment paper deter you from buying it. Parchment paper alleviates the need to grease cookie sheets, and cookies slide off without breaking or sticking.

You can buy parchment paper in most larger grocery stores, and you can find parchment paper in kitchen speciality stores. Look for parchment paper online to locate the best price. Parchment paper is the final remedy for correcting your cookie baking problems.