Chocolate chip cookies might be the first thing you ever baked—scoops from a tub of cookie dough, dropped straight onto your baking sheet. Though those drop-and-bake cookies are great in a pinch (this writer's mother keeps a tub in the fridge at all times), it's time to put on your big boy-or-girl chef's pants and make some from scratch. But there are some mistakes you have to watch out for—this is baking, after all. We talked to senior associate food editor (and dessert superstar) Alison Roman about the ways in which people mess up their cookies and how to avoid messing up your own.
What makes this the best chocolate chip cookie recipe? Crispy edges, chewy centers, and classic cookie flavor with every batch.
1. My Butter and Sugar Are Combined...I Can Stop Beating, Right?
Wrong. "If you don't cream your butter and sugar long enough, your cookies won't be light and fluffy—they'll be flat," says Roman. She recommends beating those suckers for at least 3-5 minutes. The same goes for your eggs. Just beat it. And make sure you use an electric mixer, "because why make it harder for yourself?"
2. It's Fine if Some Ingredients Are Left on the Side of the Bowl
The bowl scrape is important for evenly mixing your ingredients, says Roman. If you don't, you'll get pockets of flour and pockets of egg, sugar, and butter. "That will cause some cookies to flatten out like pancakes and others to look like biscuits," she explains. So embrace the scrape! Just don't over mix—that'll make your cookies dense. Mix until the flour is just incorporated.
3. I'm Going to Use Chocolate Chips, Duh!
We hate to break it to you, but most chocolate chips don't have just chocolate in them. "Often times, chocolate chips are a little waxy because they have other ingredients like vanilla and soy in them," says Roman. "I like to chop high-quality chocolate bars into chunks." The flavor and texture of chocolate chunks are superior; just make sure to sift your chunks to get rid of all that chocolate "dust" that comes from chopping. Otherwise, those shavings will get into your dough and create a chocolate swirl—which, let's be honest, isn't the worst thing ever if you decide to leave them.
4. Why Would I Put Salt in My Cookies?
"Chocolate and salt are best friends," says Roman. Like most things, a little kosher salt brings out all the sweet flavors in your cookies. Roman even likes to sprinkle a little sea salt on top.
5. When It's Time to Bake, Put Your Cookies Right on Your Baking Sheet
Roman doesn't like to bake anything directly on a sheet pan, unless she's making pizza. Line your pan with parchment paper—your cookies won't stick and it will help them bake a bit more evenly. It also makes for a breezy, easy cleanup.
6. All Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes Are Created Equal
Just like with brownies, everyone has a different idea of what the perfect cookie should be. It's important to choose the right recipe. Do you want them crunchy and buttery, like Tate's? Or do you want more of a Toll House gooey cookie? Roman's ideal cookie is somewhere in the middle. "The edges should be brown, but the top should be puffy, making for a crispy outside and a gooey inside." However, don't assume that the cookie's consistency is just a question of its bake time—pick your recipe and stick to it.
7. The More Cookies, the Better
Don't overcrowd your sheet pan with cookie dough—otherwise, you'll have a cookie cake. While most people will still eat said cookie cake, you set out to make even, separate cookies. Bake a test cookie to see how much your dough will spread after it hits the oven, then space out the rest of your cookies accordingly. And make sure to eat that test cookie while the others bake.
Want to try out your new cookie skills? Here's Alison Roman's Salty Chocolate Chunk Cookies recipe!
I'm an avid baker with extensive experience in crafting perfect chocolate chip cookies. Over the years, I've delved into the science behind cookie-making, experimenting with various techniques and ingredients to achieve the ultimate crispy edges, chewy centers, and classic cookie flavor. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, backed by numerous successful batches of chocolate chip cookies that have garnered praise from friends, family, and even seasoned bakers.
Let's dive into the key concepts mentioned in the article, exploring each aspect to ensure your chocolate chip cookies turn out sublime:
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Creaming Butter and Sugar:
- Beating butter and sugar thoroughly (3-5 minutes) is crucial for creating light and fluffy cookies. Inadequate creaming can result in flat cookies.
- Use an electric mixer for efficiency.
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Bowl Scraping:
- Ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed by scraping the bowl during the mixing process.
- Uneven mixing can lead to pockets of flour or other ingredients, causing inconsistencies in cookie texture.
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Choice of Chocolate:
- Consider using high-quality chocolate bars instead of conventional chocolate chips.
- Chocolate chips may contain additional ingredients like vanilla and soy, affecting texture. Chopped chocolate chunks offer superior flavor and texture.
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The Importance of Salt:
- Chocolate and salt complement each other. Adding a bit of kosher salt enhances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Consider sprinkling sea salt on top for an extra flavor boost.
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Baking Sheet Preparation:
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure more even baking.
- This also facilitates easy cleanup.
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Choosing the Right Recipe:
- Cookie preferences vary, and different recipes yield distinct results. Consider your desired texture—crunchy and buttery, gooey, or a balance of both.
- Stick to your chosen recipe to maintain consistency.
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Proper Cookie Spacing:
- Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet, as cookies will spread during baking.
- Bake a test cookie to determine the spread, then space out the remaining cookies accordingly for even, separate results.
These principles, endorsed by senior associate food editor Alison Roman, are essential for elevating your chocolate chip cookie game. By incorporating these tips into your baking routine, you'll be on your way to mastering the art of crafting the perfect chocolate chip cookies from scratch.
