How to Make Cookies
Cookie Baking Tips

Learn how to make cookies with our tips and baking techniques and eliminate any disasters. Once you know how, anyone can make them.

If you have never made them before, start with some of the easier ones, then graduate to the more advanced and elaborate recipes. Chocolate chip and other drop cookies are good recipes to start with.

Sometimes the difference between success and failure is a small detail. It can be anything from incorrectly measuring out ingredients, using the wrong ingredients or incorrect oven temperatures.

There is no better way to spend an afternoon and it's even more fun eating them. But knowing the secrets of how to make cookies can be the difference between success and failure.

The following tips and techniques will show you how to make cookies perfectly each and every time.

Cookie Baking Tips

• Preheat the oven for 10-15 minutes before baking.

• Bake on the middle shelf of your oven.

• Before you begin carefully read through the recipe and assemble your ingredients.

• Always measure your ingredients.

• Remove butter from fridge 30 minutes before to allow it to soften. Or you could try microwaving it first. Microwave on high for 10 seconds to soften it, but try to avoid melting it.

• Lumpy flour is very rare these days, so it's not necessary to sift flour unless you are combining it with other dry ingredients.

• Cookie dough usually benefits from being chilled for about 30 minutes before baking.

• Always place your dough on cold trays. Cookies placed on hot trays will spread too much and brown around the edges. Use two trays, alternating between batches.

• Do not grease the trays. This also causes them to spread and brown on the bottom. Use non-stick trays or line your trays with baking paper.

• Place the dough about 2 inches apart on the trays to allow sufficient room for spreading during baking.

• Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the trays for a few minutes. Leave on the trays too long and they will stick, making them too hard to remove.

It doesn't matter what type of cookie you are baking success depends on using the best ingredients, the right equipment and mastering the basic skills for each type of cookie.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are made using a number of different methods, from drop to the rolled out variety cut out with cookie cutters in a myriad of different shapes. Here we explain the different types. Master these and you will become a cookie baking expert.

Baking Tools

You don't need fancy equipment to bake cookies. In fact they can be made using basic kitchen equipment which most home cooks will already have in their kitchens. Check out our list of baking tools.

Cookie Ingredients

The great advantage of baking your own cookies, apart from the taste, is that you are able to use the best and freshest ingredients. Does it make a difference whether you use butter and what sugar you use? Yes it does. Not sure which type of flour to use? Our information on ingredients explains all.

Types of Chocolate

Chocolate is used extensively in cookie baking. But which chocolate should you use? Check out our guide to chocolate for the different types of chocolate and remember, more than any other ingredient, quality really does make a difference.

How to Melt Chocolate

Some recipes require melted chocolate to be used. Chocolate can be melted either in a microwave or using a double boiler. We show you how to melt chocolate using either method.

Storing Cookies

Once you have made your cookies it is unlikely they will last very long. However, in the event they are not all eaten, we have advice on storing so they retain their just made freshness.

Cookie Gifts

Have you considered giving cookies as a gift? Most people would appreciate receiving a gift box filled with homemade goodies. We have some creative ideas on gift wrapping and presenting your lovingly made treats.

Mailing Cookies

Are you transporting your baked goodies yourself or do you intend mailing them to your friends and family? Cookies can be sent through the mail successfully. We have helpful hints on transporting and mailing.

Freezing Cookies

Cookies are ideal for freezing. If you want freshly baked cookies on a regular basis, freeze a batch of unbaked cookie dough. Then simply remove from the freezer and bake as normal. Either method is successful.

Learning how to make cookies is not hard but it certainly can be fun.