The Science of Good Cookies

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The Best Tips for the Best Cookies

1. Ooey-gooey: Add 2 cups more flour.
2. Crispy with a soft center: Use 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
3. A nice tan: Set the oven higher than 350 degrees (maybe 360). Caramelization, which gives cookies their nice brown tops, occurs above 356 degrees, says the Ted video.
4. Chewy: Substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour.
5. Just like store-bought: Trade the butter for shortening. Arias notes that this ups the texture but reduces some flavor; her suggestion is to use half butter and half shortening.
6. Thick (and less crispy): Freeze the batter for 30 to 60 minutes before baking. This solidifies the butter, which will spread less while baking.
7. Cakey: Use more baking soda because, according to Nyberg, it “releases carbon dioxide when heated, which makes cookies puff up.”
8. Butterscotch flavored: Use 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (instead of the same amount of combined granulated sugar and light brown sugar).
9. Uniformity: If looks count, add one ounce corn syrup and one ounce granulated sugar.
10. More. Just, more: Chilling the dough for at least 24 hours before baking deepens all the flavors, Arias found.

Bonus Tip: Use your nose, instructs the Ted Talk. That delicious cookie smell signifies cookie doneness as effectively as a timer.

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Read more: The Science Behind Baking the Most Delicious Cookie Ever | Good Sh*t | OZY