Tips For Baking the Perfect Cookies!

Oh my goodness. Who doesn’t love love love an amazing cookie? But there are some hidden tricks to baking the perfect cookies at home.

It’s not as simple as popping them into your oven. And if you want to know how to make soft cookies that stay moist, check out my ultimate chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Try these tricks next time you are whipping up a batch of cookies at home. You’ll be surprised at just how wonderful they come out! 

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Tips to the Perfect Cookies!

1. Test your oven temperature every few months, and make accommodations accordingly.

Cookies are best when baked at 325 and just until the edges are light golden brown.

The middle will still be a bit soft, but they will set up during cooling.

When we first moved into our home, I noticed that my baking just wasn’t working out the way I wanted… turns out my oven was 10 degrees too cool.

That can make a huge difference.

Use an oven thermometer to easily check the temperature.

2. Make sure you cream together the butter and sugar well.

It should be light and fluffy.

This can take several minutes to happen, even with a stand mixer, but it is essential to the end result.

Start with room temperature butter for best results.

Silicone Baking MatsWilton 3-Tier Folding Cooling GridMeasuring Cups and Spoons – Set of 20OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set

 

Then combine the sugars and butter on low speed for a minute, and after it is incorporated increase the speed to medium-high.

Scrape down the bowl every minute or so to ensure that the butter and sugar is creaming evenly.

When you scrape down the sides after a minute or two, it will be very heavy and resemble wet cement, or really dense sand.

You aren’t done yet! Keep going until the mixture has lightened in color and in texture.

Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand MixerKitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring ShieldKitchenAid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer – Empire RedFRIGIDAIRE ESTM020-PINK 4.5L Retro Stand Mixer (Pink), 4.75 quart

 

This can take up to 4-5 minutes, even with a stand mixer!

3. Chill the dough for a full 4 hours before baking.

This helps keep them from flattening out too much during baking.

4. Get some parchment paper for baking.

It makes cookies go so much faster! No need to grease a pan, and the cookies are perfect every time.

(And honestly, I’ve moved past parchment paper and have fallen in love with Silpat silicone baking mat.)

Great Cookie Recipes!

For the perfect chewy chocolate chip cookie, check out my recipe (and the secret ingredient to chewy cookies).

Or try these Paleo chocolate chip cookies, which are thick, chewy and have the perfect texture.

Sheet pan cookie bars are classic, easy chocolate chip cookies that can be cut into bars or any shape that you‘d like!

Don’t miss out on our other family friendly recipes!