I need Help With Cookies

[happily single]

I'm planning on baking some chocolate chip cookies tonight, but everytime I make them they turn into hockey pucks!

Does anyone have any tips for keeping the cookies soft?

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Well, I am NOT a great baker...but I try...so I only have a few tips that I've figured out on my own. Don't overbake. They cook a bit after you take them out, so I always go against my nature and take them out when they look undercooked. I guess it's my natural instinct to make hockey pucks Also, if you're making them from scratch, let the butter soften naturally. Whenever I try to rush things and soften in the microwave the cookies are hard.

 

[java]

1 Make sure you have room Temp butter- not melted butter
2. Make sure your Baking soda/powder is FRESH
3. Use a tablespoon extra flour in your recipe.

Those things make my cookies soft and puffy. And yes I take them out early.

 

[mamacatnv]

Real butter
bake until the edges look set or are just slightly browned and the center still slightly gooey looking - that makes a nice chewy cookie

 

[wvjules]

I'm planning on baking some chocolate chip cookies tonight, but everytime I make them they turn into hockey pucks!

Does anyone have any tips for keeping the cookies soft?

Dunk themin milk.

 

[Magic Mom]

I like my cookies crispy.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

I think everyone else that's posted pretty much has it right, but I will reiterate for good measure

Make sure your ingredients are all room temperature. That includes the butter, and eggs and anything else that is coming from the fridge.

I have also found that if your recipe calls for baking them for 12-15 minutes, then start checking them at 10, and the moment you notice them getting golden on the sides, even if they look under baked, take them out of the oven. Remember that carry over cooking will finish the process once they are out.

Let them cool slightly and then store them in a tightly sealed container. This will keep the air from making them into hockey pucks.

A little trick I use is before I add the chocolate chips, I sprinkle them with a little flour so they don't end up sinking to the bottom of the cookie. This way they distribute evenly and rise with the cookie.

Good luck!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i've heard people say use margarine instead of actual butter, it makes them softer i guess. but i usually buy the dough pre-made so i'm not much help....those turn out like hockey pucks, too.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

If your recipe calls for preheating the oven at 375, like many chocolate chip cookie recipes do, set it for 350 instead. This will give you the "undercooked" effect that ncmickeyluvr and mamacatnv mentioned. They do cook a little more after you take them out. Let them sit on the pan for a few minutes to "settle".

And like java, I use a little extra flour. It shouldn't be sticking to your hands if you try to form a ball. Careful not to add too much flour though, or you'll be right back to hard cookies.

This goes against the person who said real butter, but I actually prefer to use Crisco instead of butter. Or at least half butter and half Crisco.

One more thing, I keep my dough in the fridge until I am ready to scoop it. If it warms up too much, it gets sticky, and you'll be tempted to add too much flour.

Now, can I please have a few cookies? Chocolate chip are my favorite!!

 

[NAB]

The only thing I do with Chocolate chip cookies to keep them soft is not bake them to long. Take them out as soon as they are browning around the edges. They can be light brown in the middle too. But like someone said they will bake a little as they cool in the pan before transfering them to a cooling rack.

So if it says 10 mins. leave in for 8. The first batch might take the whole ten but after that do 9.

I use margrine right out of the fridge, that doesn't seem to effect it any for me at least.

And the only time I use extra flour is if the cookies spread out , this will happen when you use different margrines.

Here is my reciepe:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2tsp. baking soda ( mine is in the cupboard forever...haha)

Mix together

In another bowl
1/2 cup butter or margrine
2/3 cup brown sugar

cream

add 1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

add to butter mixture then add the flour mixture to that .

Add 1/2 chocolate chips
optional add cup of walnuts ( we dont' like nuts)

bake at 375 for 8-10 mins. I bake at 8 for soft cookies.

I make this cookie a lot for every member in my family... because they are soft.

 

[monkeybug]

If you add a bit of shortening in place of some of the butter they come out softer.

 

[evilqueenfan]

Also, to keep them soft after baking, place a slice of bread in the storage container on top of the cookies.

 

[happily single]

Thanks soo much; I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out

 

[Luv2Scrap]

If you add a bit of shortening in place of some of the butter they come out softer.

Yay, I'm not the only one!

 

[mckryan]

I swear by the recipes on Food Network's website. These are the ones I use from Alton Brown.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I made some last week and the were as flat as pancakes, didn't rise one bit. I did remember baking soda.....

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I always use 1/2 cup margarine and 1/2 cup shortening, 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar. I also take them out when they're just starting to lightly brown and let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute or two as they continue baking as they sit.

 

[NAB]

I made some last week and the were as flat as pancakes, didn't rise one bit. I did remember baking soda.....

In this case you needed to add some flour.

Any chocolate chip cookies are good , flat, hard just not burnt.

 

[ccgirl]

I have also learned to take them out when they look just under done. They will continue to bake on the hot cookie sheet. Also, when storing your cookies, put a piece of bread in with them and they will continue to keep soft. The bread will go stale but the cookies stay soft....MMMMM...I think I want to go home and make cookies now.

 

[fraggle551]

I have been on the quest for the 'perfect' chocolate chip cookie for quite awhile now. Thank goodness my friends are willing taste testers! By far, this recipe has gotten two thumbs up from everyone.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Bakery-Style-Chewy-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-80470