FAQs
If the dough is chilled before baking then the cookies will be slightly more rounded, so if you want slightly flatter cookies then bake them as soon as you have mixed up the dough. But we would not recommend flattening the cookies completely as this will affect the texture.
Why are my chocolate chip cookies not flat? ›
Too Much Flour
This may seem counterintuitive—after all, isn't flour a key ingredient in baking? Yes, but if you add too much flour, your cookies won't spread as they bake. Too much flour causes the dough to become dry and crumbly, which prevents it from flattening out during baking.
How do I keep my chocolate chip cookies from going flat? ›
If your cookies come out of the oven looking flat, you may not have adequately chilled the dough before baking. Chilling times may vary depending on the cookie you're making, but you should typically chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before you pop it in the oven.
Why do my chocolate chip cookies always come out fluffy? ›
Q: Why are my cookies so puffy and cakey? Whipping too much air into the dough. That fluffy texture you want in a cake results from beating a lot of air into the room temperature butter and sugar, and it does the same for cookies. So don't overdo it when you're creaming together the butter and sugar.
Do cookies deflate after baking? ›
They cool.
The action doesn't stop when your cookies come out of the oven. As they cool, the liquified sugars cool and harden, producing crisp bottoms and edges, and the air inside cools, causing the cookie to deflate slightly.
How to know when chocolate chip cookies are done? ›
And finally, when the entire outside turns a dark golden brown. and the edge doesn't move when gently pushed, the cookie will be crunchy without being burnt. Ever make cookies and they have a lump in the center when the timer goes off? BUT you know they're done!
Why are my cookies not flattening enough? ›
If your oven is too hot or too cold, it may influence whether or not your cookies spread properly. If you didn't preheat your oven to the correct temperature before placing your tray of cookies in the oven, it will be too cold and your cookies won't have enough time to spread.
How to fix cookies that are too flat? ›
Avoid packing the flour into the cup, as this can lead to using too much flour and result in dry, flat cookies. Adjust leavening agents: Baking powder and baking soda are responsible for the rise and structure of cookies. If your cookies are too flat, try slightly increasing these leavening agents.
What makes cookies more fluffy? ›
Baking soda
When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie. Baking soda is generally used in recipes that contain an acidic ingredient such as vinegar, sour cream or citrus.
How do you keep chocolate chip cookies moist after baking? ›
Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.
Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.
Why did my chocolate chip cookies go flat in the oven? ›
If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure. Therefore, as the butter spreads so does the whole liquidy cookie.
What to do if your cookies are puffy? ›
You can also dip the bottom of a glass in powdered sugar and use that to flatten them. If they still puff too much, cut back on the baking powder, and chill the prepped cookies for 30 minutes before putting them in the oven.
What happens if you add too much butter to cookies? ›
Too much butter makes cookies turn out just as you'd expect: very buttery. This batch of cookies was cakey in the middle, but also airy throughout, with crispy edges. They were yellow and slightly puffy in the middle, and brown and super thin around the perimeter.
Should you roll cookie dough into balls? ›
HOT TIP: Don't roll your cookie dough into a. completely smooth ball 🙅♀️ They'll end up flat and. (you guessed it) smooth. Instead, do what I like to call.
How to fix chocolate chip cookies that spread too much? ›
If this happens, put the dough into the refrigerator until it is well chilled, usually about 1 to 2 hours. Another possible fix is to add some additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is slightly stiffer and doesn't spread. 2. Butter or margarine is too soft.
Do you shape cookies before or after baking? ›
Consistent Shapes: Cutting dough before baking ensures consistent shapes and allows you to use the most of your dough. Easier Handling: It is easier to manipulate unbaked dough with cookie cutters, ensuring precision.
Why do my chocolate chip cookies get hard? ›
Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.