How To Fix Cookie Dough With Too Much Flour: What To Do

Last Updated on August 19, 2024 by Lori Walker

Too much **flour** in cookie dough makes cookies as hard as rocks and crumbly, instead of soft and yummy!

I learned that this could happen for various reasons, such as measuring the flour incorrectly, using the wrong type of flour, or adding too much flour during the mixing process. 

However, there are ways to fix cookie dough with too much flour and still enjoy delicious cookies. Read on.

3 Ways To Fix Cookie Dough With Too Much Flour

1. Add Liquid

The first step in fixing cookie dough with too much flour is to determine how much extra flour you have added. 

Once you’ve determined how much extra flour you have, you can add a small amount of liquid to the dough to help balance it. 

“Smell is so powerful, you know. My grannies would both bake things like shortbreads and cookies. I think whenever I smell those kinds of things, it takes me back to my childhood.”

– Curtis Stone, Chef

For example, add a tablespoon of milk or water to the dough. This will help to add moisture and make the dough more pliable. Check out these ways to defrost cookie dough here.

2. Add Fat 

Alternatively, add a small amount of butter or shortening to the dough to help add moisture. The fat in the butter or shortening will help to make the dough more pliable and will also help to add flavor to the cookies.

3. Add An Extra Egg Yolk

If you don’t want more liquid or fat, try adding an extra egg yolk to the dough. The extra fat in the egg yolk will help to make the dough more pliable and will also help to add moisture to the dough.

But can you make the cookies chewy and not cakey?

5 Common Causes Of Too Much Flour In Cookie Dough

1. Incorrect measuring: One of the most common causes is incorrect measuring. If you’re using a measuring cup to measure the flour, it’s important to use the “dip and sweep” method to ensure that you’re not packing the flour into the cup. This can result in more flour being added than the recipe calls for.
2. Using the wrong flour: Another common cause is using the wrong type of flour. For example, bread flour instead of all-purpose flour [1] can produce a higher protein content, leading to a drier dough.
3. Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can cause gluten to form, which can make the dough tough and dry.
4. Using stale flour: Using stale flour can also affect the texture of the dough and cause it to be dry and crumbly.
5. Not adjusting for high altitude: If you live in a high altitude area, the dough may require less flour as the dough [2] will rise more than in lower altitude areas.

“Transforming cookie dough with excess flour into a masterpiece requires a sprinkle of moisture, a dash of patience, and a pinch of ingenuity. Embrace the challenge, mold with love, and create triumph from mishap.”

Leonelli Bakery

Also Read:

• How Long Does Toll House Cookie Dough Stay Good Once It’s Been Opened?
• How Long Does Homemade Cookie Dough Last?

How Can You Prevent Adding Too Much Flour In The Future?

1. Measure ingredients accurately: Use a kitchen scale to measure the flour, or use the “dip and sweep” method when using a measuring cup. This will ensure that you are not adding more flour than the recipe calls for.
2. Sift the flour before measuring: Sifting the flour can remove any lumps that may have formed and will help to ensure that you are measuring the correct amount of flour.
3. Use fresh flour: Make sure to use fresh flour, as stale flour can affect the texture of the dough and cause it to be dry and crumbly.
4. Please pay attention to the texture of the dough: While mixing it, pay attention to its texture. If it feels dry or crumbly, add a small amount of liquid to balance it.
5. Adjust for high altitude: If you live in a high altitude area, you may need to use less flour as the dough will rise more than in lower altitude areas.
6. Follow the recipe: make sure to follow the recipe. If the recipe calls for a specific type of flour, use that one. If the recipe calls for a specific measure of flour, use that measure.

Also Read: Can Bread Flour & All-Purpose Flour Be Mixed?

FAQs

Key Takeaways

Too much flour in cookie dough can be a frustrating problem, but it can be fixed by following some simple steps. 

One of the most common ways to fix cookie dough with too much flour is to add a small amount of liquid, such as milk or water, to help balance it out. 

Alternatively, add a small amount of butter or shortening to the dough to help add moisture. Another way to fix the dough is by adding an extra egg yolk. This will add more fat to the dough and make it more pliable.

It’s also important to prevent adding too much flour in the future by measuring ingredients accurately, sifting the flour before measuring, using fresh flour, paying attention to the texture of the dough while mixing, and adjusting for high altitude if necessary.

References:

1. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-all-purpose-flour-5201016
2. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255365/edible-cookie-dough/

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Lori Walker

Lori is a self-taught baker and former owner of a successful bakery. She shares her love for baking through her blog, featuring delicious recipes, baking tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at running a bakery. You can speak with her directly at [email protected].

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