Last Updated on July 20, 2024 by Lori Walker
Creating the perfect cookie can feel tricky. Some people enjoy their cookies **soft and chewy** with a **gooey center**, while others prefer a **crispy, cake-like** texture.
If you’re looking for the perfect chewy cookie, you’ve come to the right place.
We will provide helpful tips and tricks on making cookies chewy instead of cakey.
You’ll learn how to adjust the ingredients in your recipe, what ingredients to add and how to bake them to get the perfect texture.
You can be well on your way to chewy cookie perfection with a few easy steps.
5 Tips On How To Make Your Cookies Chewy & Not Cakey
- Use butter instead of shortening – Butter helps create a chewier texture.
- Use more brown sugar than white sugar – Brown sugar is more moist and will produce a chewier cookie.
- Add an extra egg yolk – Egg yolks contain fat and emulsifiers, which will help keep your cookies tender and chewy.
- Refrigerate the dough – When you refrigerate cookie dough, it helps the fats and sugars to bind together and create a chewier texture.
- Don’t over-bake – Cookies should be slightly under-baked for maximum chewiness.
Also Read:
- 6 Steps On How To Save Runny Cookie Dough
- 3 Quick Tips To Fix Your Cookie Dough With Too Much Flour
- 6 Milk Bar Cookies You Should Try
What Makes Cookies Chewy vs Cakey?
Cookies [1] and cakes belong to the same family of baked goods, but some distinct differences exist. Cookies are usually chewy and soft, while cakes are light and fluffy.
The difference in texture is due to the ingredients used in their respective recipes. Cookies usually contain more fat and sugar, which increases their moisture and chewiness.
“The dirty little secret is that I grew up in a household where no carbohydrates were allowed. No cookies, no bread, no potatoes, no rice. My mother was very extreme in terms of what she served. Since I left home more than 40 years ago, I’ve been making it right for myself. “
– Ina Garten, American Author
Cakes usually have less fat and sugar, allowing them to rise more, resulting in a lighter, cakey texture.
Additionally, cookies usually contain more baking soda or baking powder, which increases their spread and helps them stay soft, while cakes use less of these ingredients and rely more on eggs for their structure and rise.
But how can you bake Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix better?
How To Make Cakey Cookies
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees, then cream together butter, sugar, and egg until light and fluffy.
Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, and mix until just combined.
Finally, roll the dough into balls and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, and let cool before enjoying your delicious and cakey cookies.
But is it okay to put the cookies back in the oven and rebake them?
How To Fix Cakey Cookie Dough
To fix cakey cookie dough [2], use the right ingredients and measurements.
If the dough is too dry, add a teaspoon of water or milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
You can also add a few tablespoons of softened butter to the dough to make it less crumbly. If the dough is too wet, add extra flour until you reach the desired texture.
Lastly, try chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking; this will help it stay together better during baking.
Read: What Causes The Bottom Of My Cookies To Burn?
How To Make Cookies Flatter
Firstly, when forming the cookie dough, flatten the dough slightly with a rolling pin before cutting out the individual cookies.
Secondly, before baking the cookies, lightly press down on the center of the cookie with the back of a spoon to ensure the cookie is an even thickness.
Finally, for an additional flat cookie, place an additional cookie sheet on top of the tray of cookies before baking – this will ensure an even distribution of heat and create a flatter cookie.
Read: Do Cupcakes Need To Be Flat Or Dome-Shaped?
FAQs
Can you make cookies less dense?
Yes, you can make cookies less dense by using a higher ratio of baking soda or baking powder to flour, adding an extra egg white, or reducing the amount of butter in the recipe.
Check out the clues that your cookie dough might have gone bad here.
Why are my cookies spongy?
There are a few possible reasons why your cookies might be spongy. It could be due to overmixing the dough, using too much baking powder, or baking the cookies too long.
It’s also possible that the butter or sugar was not creamed properly. To avoid this in the future, follow the recipe closely and keep an eye on the cookies while baking.
Check out these helpful ways to know if your flan is done here.
Why do my cookies look like pancakes?
Your cookies may have spread too much while baking. This could be caused by a few factors, such as using too much butter, overmixing the dough, using too high of an oven temperature, or baking the cookies too long.
To avoid this, ensure that your ingredients are measured accurately, mix the dough until just combined, and bake the cookies for the recommended time.
Find out how you can bake a cookie cake with Pillsbury Cookie Dough here.
Key Takeaways
Making cookies chewy and not cakey requires careful attention to the ingredients and baking time.
Baking soda is the key to making cookies chewy as it helps them to spread and also helps to aerate the batter. The fat and sugar you use can also affect your cookies’ chew.
Additionally, an oven thermometer can help ensure that your cookies are baked at the correct temperature.
Lastly, watch your cookies closely as they bake, and remove them from the oven as soon as they are done.
These tips will ensure that your cookies come out chewy and not cakey.
References:
- https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10813/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/
- https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255365/edible-cookie-dough/
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