FAQs
They go from soft to hard because they start to dry out, and it begins as soon as you pull them from the oven. (Yikes.) Whatever moisture is left in the cookies is always in a state of evaporation. At the same time, the sugars and starches are solidifying.
How do you make cookies soft not crunchy? ›
How to Make Soft Cookies
- Cream your butter and sugar well.
- Choose a low-protein flour.
- Don't overmix your dough.
- Chill your dough.
- Use a higher ratio of white to brown sugar.
- Don't chill your dough.
- Smash your dough and bang the pan.
How do you keep homemade cookies fresh? ›
Make sure cookies cool completely before storing. Store them at room temperature in an air-tight container, like Tupperware. Store different flavors separately. Over time, strongly flavored cookies like molasses or mint will seep into other cookies, so if possible store each flavor in its own container.
Does paper towel keep cookies soft? ›
If you are storing the cookies in layers, place a piece of damp paper towel in between every two layers. Cover the opening fully with plastic wrap and finally, the cover. Dampen the paper towel again each day to maintain the moistness and that should keep the cookies nice and moist.
How do you make cookies soft after baking? ›
Wrap Them Up
Individually wrap your cookies in plastic wrap after baking, which will enclose them in moist steam.
How do bakeries keep cookies fresh? ›
To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.
What makes a cookie more soft? ›
Add Baking Powder
Adding a bit more baking powder to your recipe (or adding baking powder at all, about 1/2 a teaspoon) can help give you softer and fluffier cookies.
What is the secret to chewy cookies? ›
Adding about ½ teaspoon of cornstarch for every 1 cup of flour will prevent the gluten in the flour from developing fully. Cornstarch will also help prevent the cookies from spreading too much, making them nice and thick, keeping the center soft and chewy.
Why are my cookies hard and crunchy? ›
The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.
How long do cookies last after baking? ›
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.
* Store crisp cookies in a container with a loose-fitting lid. * Cookies can be frozen for as long as six months with good results. Put cookies in a container lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and separate each layer of cookies with more plastic wrap or foil. Tightly seal container.
How do you keep cookies fresh for 3 days? ›
If you are planning to eat the cookies within a few days, place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag. You can also place a slice of sandwich bread inside the container, which will absorb excess moisture and help keep the cookies soft.
Where do you put cookies so they don't get hard? ›
Store them in an airtight container.
While we love a good cookie jar, it's important to make sure that you're storing your cookies in an airtight container. The longer the cookies are exposed to air, the more likely they are to harden. You've got to keep that moisture locked in, people!
Does baking soda keep cookies soft? ›
Baking soda
When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie.
Does putting cookies in the fridge make them soft? ›
The temperature can be a big factor when storing cookies. Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland. In general, store cookies at room temperature or freeze them, as specified above.
What makes a cookie moist and chewy? ›
Double Your Yolks Most cookie recipes call for at least one egg. You can try omitting the white of each egg, which tends to dry out when baked, and replacing it with an additional yolk. Plus, egg yolks have more fat than egg whites, which helps to keep your cookies moist and chewy.
Does heating cookies make them soft? ›
Step 3: Reheat The Cookies In The Microwave For 15 – 20 Seconds. As the microwave starts to heat up, the cookies will be able to absorb all the moisture evaporating from the damp paper towels. After around 15 – 20 seconds on medium settings, they should already soften up.
Will cookies still be soft after baking? ›
Should cookies be soft when they come out? Some cookies are fluffier than others, so they may be “soft” when they come out. However, they shouldn't be so soft that they're undercooked. If you prefer a crispier cookie, you can bake them a little longer.
Why are my cookies so hard? ›
Why are my cookies tough? The most common reason that cookies are tough is that the cookie dough was mixed too much. When flour is mixed into the dough, gluten begins to form. Gluten helps hold baked goods together, but too much gluten can lead to tough cookies.
How do you keep cookies fresh for a few days? ›
Keep cookies cool
Your stored cookies will stay freshest in a cool, dry place, such as the back shelf of your pantry. Depending on the variety, they'll last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You can also freeze cookies for up to six months.
Keeping cookies fresh for five days should be no problem at all. Store soft cookies in an airtight container or resealable bag.
Why do my cookies never come out soft? ›
Problem #2: Dry and stiff cookies
You probably have too much flour in the recipe. The excess flour caused too much gluten to form, preventing the cookie from softening and spreading.
Why are my cookies not soft? ›
Over time, the moisture in the cookies evaporates, leaving them stiff and crumbly. It's the same thing that happens to breads, muffins, and other baked goods. The longer they sit, the more stale they become. Thus, the best, most foolproof way to prevent cookies from going stale is to eat them the day they were baked.
Is it OK to use melted butter instead of softened? ›
Since it is not being creamed and aerated nor kept in cold pieces that create steam in the oven, melted butter does not serve the same roll in leavening pastries as softened and cold butter do. However, it does still play a roll in the texture. For instance, using melted butter in a cookie recipe will make them chewy.
What moistens cookies? ›
HOW DO YOU MOISTEN HARD OR STALE COOKIES?
- Steam them in your microwave. ...
- Place cookies in ziploc bag with a slice of apple. ...
- Dampen a paper towel and wrap the cookie in it, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until cookie is soft.
Why does melted butter make cookies chewy? ›
Why This Happened: Melting the butter first means it will mix more easily with the flour making the gluten form more than softened butter. More gluten = more chew. So a melted butter cookie will have a bit more chew. But they will spread more since the butter was already a liquid.
Why do my cookies go flat and hard? ›
If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure. Therefore, as the butter spreads so does the whole liquidy cookie.
What determines the moistness of a cookie? ›
Sugars. Sugars, like fats, liquefy in the oven. White sugar will make your cookies crispier while brown sugar contains more moisture and will result in a softer and more chewy cookie. Most chocolate chip cookie recipes call for both sugars.
Will cookies stay fresh for 2 days? ›
Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.
Should You Let cookies rest after baking? ›
Let it sit for long enough—the famous Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookie, published in the New York Times, mandates a rest of at least 24 hours and up to 72—and the starches and proteins in the flour begin to break down, leading to more browning and caramelization.
What is this? Regular homemade cookies will last for 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 9 months if stored in the freezer.
Will cookies stay fresh in a Ziplock bag? ›
Cookies can last in the fridge for two weeks, but eating them sooner is better. Store cookies in the fridge in a fully sealable plastic bag or plastic container.
Which side of aluminum foil to use when baking cookies? ›
So, now that you know the reason behind the different appearances of the two sides, you're probably wondering if you should use aluminum foil with the shiny side up or down. Quite simply, it doesn't matter. Since the exact same material makes up both sides, they will perform precisely the same way.
Should you bake cookies on parchment paper? ›
Lining a baking sheet when making cookies: Not only will the parchment help cookies bake more evenly, the non-stick quality also helps prevent them from cracking or breaking when lifting them off the sheet. Decorating home-baked goods: Parchment paper makes the perfect wrapper for baked goods.
Where do you store cookies after baking? ›
Baked cookies will stay fresh for three days in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you decide to freeze baked cookies, plan to defrost and serve them within three months.
How early can I make Christmas cookies? ›
🎄Holiday cookie baking
Depending on how you are going to store them, Christmas cookies can be baked as early as 3 months before you plan to eat them. If you plan to keep them at room temperature, it's best to make the cookies about 2 weeks or less in advance.
Should you refrigerate cookies overnight? ›
The Best Cookies for Chilling
People always recommend chilling chocolate chip cookies but shortbread, sugar cookies and even these terrific ginger cookies all benefit from a little time in the fridge. Feel free to test it out using your favorite recipes and compare the results.
Is it better to store cookies in tins or plastic containers? ›
This keeps them from sticking together or losing crispness. Metal tins keep cookies firmer than plastic bins. Let cookies cool before storing.
Should I use baking powder or baking soda for cookies? ›
Baking soda is most commonly used in cookie and muffin recipes. Baking powder, however, already contains an acid and a base and has a more neutral taste, which works great when baking cakes and bread.
Why do you put vinegar in cookies? ›
The apple cider vinegar is used to activate the baking soda, helping the dough to rise a bit.
Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.
Do cookies harden when they cool down? ›
It is important to note that, most of the time, a cookie isn't completely done cooking until up to 20 minutes after it comes out of the oven: as it cools it firms up, sets, and finishes baking.
Why do my chocolate chip cookies get hard? ›
Overworking the dough.
The more you mix and work the dough after adding the flour, the more gluten is formed, which can result in cookies that are tough and hard. → Follow this tip: After adding the flour, mix just until you see no more visible flour.
Why do my cookies go hard after a while? ›
Why Do Cookies Get Hard? Like all baked treats, cookies are subject to getting stale. Over time, the moisture in the cookies evaporates, leaving them stiff and crumbly. It's the same thing that happens to breads, muffins, and other baked goods.
Are cookies supposed to be hard when they come out of the oven? ›
Open up the oven, pull out the rack a bit, and push the sides of the cookie very lightly with a spatula or your finger. If the edge stays firm and doesn't fall inwards, then your cookies are done.
How do you keep cookies moist overnight? ›
In order to keep them their softest, tuck a slice of white sandwich bread inside the airtight container. Just like this trick helps keep brown sugar soft, it will keep your cookies soft since the moisture in the bread will leach out into the cookies.
Does refrigerating cookies make them soft? ›
Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland.
Why do my cookies always Harden? ›
The most common reason that cookies are tough is that the cookie dough was mixed too much. When flour is mixed into the dough, gluten begins to form. Gluten helps hold baked goods together, but too much gluten can lead to tough cookies.
Does warming cookies make them soft? ›
Microwaving them. If you cover your cookies with a wet paper towel and nuke them for a few seconds, they should soften up enough to eat.