No matter what type of Christmas cookie you decide on this year, the way you follow a recipe will become highly important as to how your tasty treats will emerge out of the oven. In order to increase your chances of baking success, consider the following techniques that ensure a better quality cookie in the end.
1) Fresh Ingredients
To start off on the right foot – use only the freshest of ingredients, including flour, baking soda, vanilla, sugar, and spice. You should keep in mind that most people don’t bake until a holiday arrives (like Christmas), meaning most ingredients are not up-to-date.
2) Measure Correctly
There is a reason there are directions that state how much of an ingredient to put into a recipe, as the slightest dip or excess could change the results of a cookie. This is especially true when it comes to flour. Put too much in and your cookies will most likely turn out hard and dry.
3) Chill the Dough
Many recipes call for chilling the dough before baking, which not only makes it easier to cut and maneuver onto baking sheets, but may also improve the flavor.
4) Silicone Rolling Pins
The wooden rolling pins of the past cannot compare to this newer model of silicone material that cuts down on the amount of flour you will need when rolling out the dough. Some people have also found marble rolling pins a lifesaver, which chill in the refrigerator in an effort to keep dough cold while you roll it out.
5) Oven Thermometers
Just because you set your oven at 300 degrees, does not necessarily mean that this is the temperature that your cookies will bake at. Using an oven thermometer allows you to pinpoint the exact temp in order to prevent overbaked or underbaked cookies.
6) Baking Times
After the first batch of cookies have baked, setting the timer for following batches is recommended as residual heat can cause them to cook faster. Check about 2 to 3 minutes before the original time to view the doneness of upcoming batches.
7) Aluminum Pans
To achieve golden brown cookies that are evenly baked, aluminum pans are suggested.
8) Cookie Cutter Trick
To make sure dough doesn’t stick to your cookie cutters, dip your choices in confectioners' sugar or flour in between cutting each cookie.
9) Wax Paper
Rolling out cookies on waxed paper that has been spread across the countertop will avoid the use of excess flour. To keep the paper from slipping – sprinkle a bit of water on the countertop first.
10) Softening Butter
It is a must to soften butter properly, as using the microwave can cause the butter to melt, which will alter the outcome of the cookies.
1) Fresh Ingredients
To start off on the right foot – use only the freshest of ingredients, including flour, baking soda, vanilla, sugar, and spice. You should keep in mind that most people don’t bake until a holiday arrives (like Christmas), meaning most ingredients are not up-to-date.
2) Measure Correctly
There is a reason there are directions that state how much of an ingredient to put into a recipe, as the slightest dip or excess could change the results of a cookie. This is especially true when it comes to flour. Put too much in and your cookies will most likely turn out hard and dry.
3) Chill the Dough
Many recipes call for chilling the dough before baking, which not only makes it easier to cut and maneuver onto baking sheets, but may also improve the flavor.
4) Silicone Rolling Pins
The wooden rolling pins of the past cannot compare to this newer model of silicone material that cuts down on the amount of flour you will need when rolling out the dough. Some people have also found marble rolling pins a lifesaver, which chill in the refrigerator in an effort to keep dough cold while you roll it out.
5) Oven Thermometers
Just because you set your oven at 300 degrees, does not necessarily mean that this is the temperature that your cookies will bake at. Using an oven thermometer allows you to pinpoint the exact temp in order to prevent overbaked or underbaked cookies.
6) Baking Times
After the first batch of cookies have baked, setting the timer for following batches is recommended as residual heat can cause them to cook faster. Check about 2 to 3 minutes before the original time to view the doneness of upcoming batches.
7) Aluminum Pans
To achieve golden brown cookies that are evenly baked, aluminum pans are suggested.
8) Cookie Cutter Trick
To make sure dough doesn’t stick to your cookie cutters, dip your choices in confectioners' sugar or flour in between cutting each cookie.
9) Wax Paper
Rolling out cookies on waxed paper that has been spread across the countertop will avoid the use of excess flour. To keep the paper from slipping – sprinkle a bit of water on the countertop first.
10) Softening Butter
It is a must to soften butter properly, as using the microwave can cause the butter to melt, which will alter the outcome of the cookies.
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