Every home baker is making these same 15 mistakes when they bake cookies. Let me share a few pro tips that will help you make your cookies fantastic every single time you bake. Follow these tricks, and you will never have a cookie-baking fail ever again! I suggest turning your oven on now so when you finish this article, you will be ready to bake (preheating your oven is super important, as you will see!).
1. The butter is too soft
Most cookie recipes call for room temperature butter. Room temperature butter should be around 65 degrees Fahrenheit when it's ready to use. It should also be soft and pliable, but not runny. Did you know that you can make your own homemade butter?
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How to fix it?
Let your butter sit at room temperature for min. 60 minutes to reach the correct temperature. If it has gone much longer than that and is very soft or runny, put it back in the refrigerator for several minutes until it's pliable, but less soft.
2. The oven is too hot
Ovens can vary quite a bit in temperature. The problem could have nothing to do with the ingredients; it could be your oven. An incorrect oven temperature definitely can ruin more complicated and delicate desserts such as eclairs but even for something simple like cookies, believe me, the oven temperature is so important!
How to fix it?
Purchasing a digital oven thermometer is a great way to test out the actual temperature of your oven. If you suspect the oven temperature may have been too hot, an accurate oven thermometer can make a big difference in your recipes even beyond cookies.
3. Hot cookie sheets are used
Many people wonder why the cookies turn out flat and are not aware that the dough should always be baked on cool cookie trays. If the cookie sheet is hot, the butter will immediately begin to melt and make each cookie spread before the flour has had a chance to build the cookies' structure.
How to fix it?
Purchase multiple cookie sheets for quick batches or allow time between batches to let the cookie sheet cool, which usually takes 5-10 minutes.
4. Ingredients aren´t measured correctly
Take your time when measuring ingredients. The measuring process is just as important as the mixing of the batter. Incorrectly measured ingredients can be the reason your cookies come out too thin. Not enough flour for example could also be a disaster for your cookies.
How to fix it?
A kitchen scale is always the best method for accurate ingredient measurements. If your recipe doesn't list the weight or you don't have a scale, be sure you are using the correct measuring tool.
5. The wrong kind of fat is used
It's important to use the specific kind of fat called for in the recipe. Standard cookie recipes commonly call for butter but just because there are similar products that work in cooking, doesn't mean they can be substituted in baking.
Related article: How to substitute butter in baking
How to fix it?
Be sure to use the correct fat called for in the recipe. Eg. you cannot just replace butter with oil or margarine or crisco without reformulating the recipe.
6. The cookie dough is not chilled before baking
If you find your cookies are flat, the cookie dough may have been too warm when baked. Almost all cookie recipes including coffee cookies, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and raspberry cheesecake cookies, call for chilling time, for a very good reason, not to end up with pancake-like cookies.
How to fix it?
Always refer to the recipe before beginning so that you can plan for adequate chilling time. Usually, cookies need at least 30 minutes to chill, but it's not uncommon that a cookie recipe calls for 2-4 hours or more.
7. The butter and sugar are undermixed or overmixed
Creaming the butter and sugar (just like when making cakes or cupcakes) together creates air pockets that help give cookies rise. Creaming them for 2-3 minutes will make the mixture fluffy, however, over-mixing can actually break down the air bubbles you're creating.
How to fix it?
Be sure to start with room-temperature butter. Cold butter won't properly cream. Use the recipe's reference photos and tips to look for the proper texture.
8. Greased cookie sheets are used
Nobody likes it when their food sticks to the pan, in fact, greasing is a super important step to get bundt cakes out of the pan. But, using a greased cookie sheet is not a good idea. Buttering the cookie sheet will add extra fat that can cause the cookies to spread much more than you intended and leave you with a greasy mess.
How to fix it?
Rather than greasing your cookie sheets, using silicone baking mats or parchment paper will keep your cookies from sticking.
9. Baking soda is old or expired
If you find your cookies are flat, the leavening agents may be the reason why. Baking powder and baking soda help give cookies their rise, but if they are not fresh they will not work properly. Additionally, while these two ingredients look similar, they are not interchangeable.
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How to substitute baking powder
How to fix it?
Replace your baking powder and baking soda regularly to maintain freshness. Once opened, each should be replaced every six months.
10. Too many cookies baked at a time
Cookies need space to spread and overcrowding the baking sheet can cause them to flatten. Baking too many batches at a time could also cause flat cookies.
How to fix it?
Be sure to give the cookie dough balls at least 2-3 inches of space to avoid accidentally baking one giant cookie. Additionally, always bake one tray of cookies at a time on the center rack.
11. Low quality ingredients or substitutes are used
The baking ingredients you use are very important to the success of a recipe. You may notice that some chocolate chips don't melt quite the same or that using margarine in place of butter causes differences in the recipe's texture. For example, substituting eggs in baking requires special care.
Related article: What do eggs do in baking
How to fix it?
Whenever possible use high quality brands for the best possible outcome. If this isn't possible for all the ingredients, be sure to choose as many quality ingredients as you can. If you're using a substitute, be sure that it's appropriate for your specific type of recipe. Unless you are an expert baker, the best practice is to not make substitutes that the recipe developer did not suggest.
12. Using an unreliable recipe
Sometimes it just comes down to the recipe. It's important to use recipes from trusted and experienced bakers.
How to fix it?
Use a trusted source when looking for recipes online like Spatula Desserts, where the creator of the recipes clearly has the right knowledge and experience. The recipes have process shots and step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.
13. Using the Wrong Kind of Flour
There are a surprising number of flours out there. Most cookie recipes call for all-purpose flour but occasionally you will see recipes using pastry flour, cake flour, or even bread flour. Each type of flour has a different protein content and will affect the overall texture of your cookies.
How to fix it?
Make sure you use the type of flour directed in the recipe. Never substitute high-protein flour for a low-protein type of flour. They are not the same!
14. The Baking Pan is too Dark
Dark baking sheet trays absorb a lot more heat than lighter-colored pans. This makes the pan extremely hot and will cause the bottoms of your cookies to burn.
How to fix it?
Use lighter colored baking sheets when making cookies. You can also line the cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat to act as a buffer for the direct heat. Lowering the temperature of your oven by 25 degrees F will also help.
15. Adding Ingredients at the Wrong Time
Recipes are written in a certain order for a reason. When you start adding ingredients to your bowl in the wrong order, your cookies are sure to fail. Baking is a balance of ingredients, put together in a certain way that turns into perfect cookies. If you ignore the order, your cookie dough will not be correctly blended and will not bake properly.
How to fix it?
Follow the recipe! Add the ingredients in the correct order and do not deviate from the plan.
Try These Cookie Recipes
These Biscoff Butter Cookies are the most delicious cookies loaded with Lotus Biscoff spread, cinnamon, and brown sugar making these cookies an indulging treat for everyone in the family! These cookies are chewy on the outside and gooey on the inside with that special Biscoff flavor everyone loves!
Go to the recipe: Biscoff Butter Cookies
Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
These easy Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies are made with fresh raspberries, stuffed with cream cheese filling, and sprinkled with cheesecake crust. They are divine!
Go to the recipe: Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Coffee Cookies
These rich and chocolatey Coffee Cookies are a bold and decadent dessert filled with delicious flavor in every bite. This chewy and indulgent treat pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee to help you double down on the dreamy flavors that will keep you coming back for more!
Go to the recipe: Coffee Cookies
Chocolate chip walnut cookies
These easy Chocolate chip walnut cookies are a delicious way to give the nut lovers in your family a sweet treat. Semi-sweet dark chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of bright sea salt to balance the flavors make this an indulgent cookie to enjoy during those darker evenings as we move into fall and winter. Everyone will love the chewy texture and the gooey inside that is the hallmark of the best chocolate chip walnut cookies!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate chip walnut cookies
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are the ultimate chewy, gooey cream cheese-filled cookies that are bursting with natural strawberry flavor! Besides how amazing they taste, the best thing about these Strawberry cookies is that no special equipment is needed to make them and they come together surprisingly easily following my step-by-step baking guide!
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Tiramisu Cookies
These delicious, coffee-flavored tiramisu cookies are the perfect after-dinner treat, dessert table addition, or compliment to your morning cup of coffee. A delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, this easy tiramisu cookie recipe combines espresso powder and sweet mascarpone frosting topped with cocoa powder. No matter how or where you eat them, it is sure to be something that everyone will love!
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu Cookies
Sour Cream Cookies
You are going to fall in love with the melt-in-your-mouth almost cake-like texture of these yummy Sour Cream Cookies! Fluffy, super soft, and topped with a rich buttercream frosting, they can be decorated to match any occasion whether it’s Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, or a special birthday. So get ready to delight your taste buds and impress your loved ones with this classic old fashioned sour cream cookies recipe!
Go to the recipe: Sour Cream Cookies
Edible Cookie Dough Bites
Indulge in nostalgia with these edible cookie dough bites – the perfect no-bake, hassle-free treat to satisfy your sweet tooth! Crafted from just 7 simple ingredients, the dough is infused with aromatic vanilla and generously studded with mini chocolate chips, offering a delightful mix of buttery goodness and chocolatey crunch.
Go to the recipe: Edible Cookie Dough Bites
Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
These delicious almond flour peanut butter cookies aren't just gluten-free and packed with flavor; they are also incredibly straightforward to make! These cookies are made with almond flour, creamy peanut butter, two types of sugar, and a hint of vanilla to create delicious, gooey cookies that the whole family will love. Whether you eat them alone, with a bowl of ice cream, or with a cold glass of milk, they're sure to be the best peanut butter cookies with almonds you've ever tried!
Go to the recipe: Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
This article was originally published as Why are my cookies flat on Spatula Desserts.
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