5 Tips for Baking Perfect Cookies Every Time

1. Weigh Everything Properly

Preparation is key when baking cookies. This is called mise-en-place, which means having everything ready before you start. Read your recipe twice, measure all your ingredients carefully, and have them prepared. This way, you only need to add them step by step, and nothing will go wrong.

2. Keep It Cold

Do your cookies spread out too much or lose their shape? The problem might be that your ingredients or tools aren’t cold enough. If the recipe says to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, stick to that time (longer is fine, but don’t shorten it). Also, use a cold baking tray. After each step, put your tray back in the fridge to keep everything cold. It really works!

3. Measuring = Knowing

When baking cookies, exact measurements are essential. Unlike cooking, where you can add ingredients to taste, baking requires precise ratios of wet to dry ingredients. Always use a good kitchen scale. American recipes often use cups and spoons, but this can lead to errors. If possible, convert the measurements to weight. Most of my recipes include both US customary (cups, ounces) and metric (grams, milliliters) measurements, so you can choose what works best for you.

4. Use Baking Paper or a Baking Mat

Always use baking paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents your cookies from sticking to the tray, and you can easily remove them after baking. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!
When baking, it’s best to use top and bottom heat if your oven allows. All my recipes list the temperature for this setting. If you’re using a convection oven, reduce the temperature by 30°F (20°C) for the best results.

3 x Cookies