When Cookies Are Too Flat: How to Prevent Your Cookies from Flattening Out
In my series of cookie questions, another one of the top questions was, “When Cookies Are Too Flat”.
Similarly to the previous post, when cookies spread too much or turn out too flat, it can be a bummer. However, there can be some difference between your cookies spreading too much and why they’re coming out too flat. Here are some possible reasons why this happens and tips to help prevent it:
Overly Soft Butter: Using butter that is too soft or melted can cause cookies to spread excessively. Ensure your butter is at the right temperature, which is typically cool to the touch but still pliable.
Incorrect Flour Measurement: Using too little flour or too much liquid in the dough can result in flat cookies. Use a kitchen scale to measure flour accurately or fluff the flour before spooning it into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge.
High Sugar Content: Too much sugar can cause cookies to spread. Be sure to follow the recipe and avoid adding extra sugar.
Not Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough helps solidify the fat in the cookies, which can prevent excessive spreading. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing can incorporate too much air into the dough, leading to flat cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Baking Temperature: A too-low oven temperature can cause the cookies to spread before they set. Ensure your oven is properly preheated and consider using an oven thermometer for accuracy.
Baking Sheet Placement: Placing dough on a warm baking sheet can cause it to spread too much. Use a cool baking sheet for each batch or allow the baking sheet to cool between batches.
Baking Time: Overbaking can lead to flat cookies. Bake the cookies just until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time!