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Home > Taste of Home Community > Community Forums > Recipes > Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.

Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.

Last post Dec 13, 2008 3:45 PM by JoBlank_CO . 20 replies.


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    • Top 500 Contributor
    Joined: Jul 2001
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    Posted: Feb 09, 2004 3:09 PM in Recipes
    Post # 1
    Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I read this in an old cookbook. If you cream the butter and sugar too long the cookies will be flat. According to the book, three minutes is just right. Any longer and the cookies will most likely bake flat. So maybe over creaming with the high speed powerfull mixers is causing a lot of the cookies to be baking flat.
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 3:11 PM in Recipes
    Post # 2
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    great tip, thanks
    Tina
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 3:14 PM in Recipes
    Post # 3
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    Thanks Homestyle! I have always had flat cookies and have tried everything from letting the eggs come to room temp. to using butter instead of margarine and have not had any luck! Hopefully this is the answer to my flat cookie problem!

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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 3:39 PM in Recipes
    Post # 4
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I've heard that, if you substitute some of the butter with Crisco, they will hold their shape better. Has anyone tried this? What ratio butter/Crisco would be necessary?
    Great question!!
    Gracie
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 4:29 PM in Recipes
    Post # 5
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I dislike flat cookies so I don't let my butter get too soft, as this makes them flat too.
    I beat the sugars and butter just until mixed and no more. 3 minutes even sounds a bit too long.
    Sometimes I add a little bit of extra flour or I put the dough in the fridge between cooking batches.
    I usually have nice rounded cookies. Of course, I can't make cookies without my cookie scoop...they all look so uniform and pretty on the plate!!
    B
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  • Rockville, MD
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 4:34 PM in Recipes
    Post # 6
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I've always used shortening in my Toll House Cookies and they never come out flat. If you use Butter Flavored Crisco, then you get more flavor in the cookie, but I just use regular shortening. I have other cookie recipes that I use shortening in too. If you use part shortening and part butter, they still come out flat, so I just use shortening. Try it sometime!
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 6:32 PM in Recipes
    Post # 7
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I've also heard if you spray your pan too much, it will cause the batter to flatten out.
    Just thought I would toss in my two cents.
    False
    • Top 500 Contributor
    Joined: Aug 2001
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 6:34 PM in Recipes
    Post # 8
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I have found that using parchment paper doesn't make them flat.
    False
    • Top 150 Contributor
    Joined: Feb 2004
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 10:15 PM in Recipes
    Post # 9
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    OK, you guys, my mom always told me that cookies that go flat are because your baking soda is stale. I always keep fresh on hand and I have never had a problem also, I always sift my dry ing.'s together before I add it to the creamed.
    Dee
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    Reply Posted: Feb 09, 2004 11:00 PM in Recipes
    Post # 10
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    A year ago I printed up "A Guide to Making Tollhouse Cookies Your Way" from www.betterbaking.com but that page is no longer available, at least not for free. Regarding the spread of cookies, here are a few additional comments from that web site.
    1. Work with ingredients at room temperature for best results. Chill very soft doughs briefly for easier handling. Too fresh or too soft doughs may spread too quickly or fry before they bake and set up.
    2. Unbleached all-purpose flour is recommended for the best spread on cookies. Bleached or chlorinated flours reduce spread.
    3. Parchment paper results in cookies with an even, rolled edge. A lightly greased baking sheet results in cookies with thinner, ragged edges and slightly more spread.
    4. Reduce the soda or baking powder slightly in a recipe if you want a flatter cookie and want to avoid a cake-like, puffy cookie.
    5. For slightly raised or puffier cookies, bake in the upper third of your oven. For cookies that have more spread, bake on lower third of oven.

    Dawn
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    Reply Posted: Feb 11, 2004 8:32 AM in Recipes
    Post # 11
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    thanks for the info Dawn I'll have to remember these helpful hints.
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    Reply Posted: Feb 11, 2004 2:51 PM in Recipes
    Post # 12
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    What wonderful tips!! I thought I was softening my butter incorrectly. (Microwave - Oops!)

    If I read correctly, don't let the butter get too soft, yet only cream with a mixer for less than 3 minutes. Will it mix properly?

    Ljmanus :-)
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    Reply Posted: Jan 19, 2007 10:27 PM in Recipes
    Post # 13
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    Bumping for 2007.
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    • Top 500 Contributor
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    Reply Posted: Jan 19, 2007 11:32 PM in Recipes
    Post # 14
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.

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    • Top 100 Contributor
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    Reply Posted: Jan 19, 2007 11:39 PM in Recipes
    Post # 15
    RE: Why cookies go flat when baking. Read what I found could be the cause.
    I wish my cookies would be flatter! I use room temp butter and they still look rounded. I want THIN cookies!
    False