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Baking Delicious Cookies: Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

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Baking cookies is a timeless tradition that brings comfort and joy to people of all ages. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to baking the perfect cookie. In this article, we’ll share some tips to help you achieve delicious results every time you bake.

  1. Choose the right recipe. Not all cookie recipes are created equal. Some cookies are meant to be soft and chewy, while others are meant to be crisp and crunchy. Choose a recipe that suits your taste preferences, and be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
  2. Use the right ingredients. Using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor and texture of your cookies. Make sure you’re using fresh, unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract. Use real chocolate, not chocolate chips, for the best flavor.
  3. Measure ingredients accurately. When it comes to baking, precision is key. Using too much or too little of an ingredient can drastically affect the outcome of your cookies. Make sure to measure ingredients carefully, using the right measuring tools, such as a kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons.
  4. Chill the dough. Chilling the dough before baking can help prevent cookies from spreading too much and give them a better texture. Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, before baking.
  5. Use parchment paper. Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper will prevent your cookies from sticking and make for an easier clean-up. Parchment paper also helps distribute heat evenly, resulting in perfectly baked cookies every time.
  6. Experiment with different shapes and sizes. If you’re looking to add some variety to your cookie baking, try experimenting with different shapes and sizes. Cut the dough into different shapes using cookie cutters, or roll it into balls of different sizes to create unique, uneven shapes.
  7. Don’t overbake. Overbaking can result in dry, crunchy cookies. Be sure to keep an eye on your cookies and remove them from the oven as soon as they’re lightly golden brown. They’ll continue to bake for a few minutes on the hot baking sheet, so it’s better to err on the side of underbaking than overbaking.

In conclusion, baking delicious cookies is all about paying attention to the details. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking the perfect cookie every time. Happy baking!

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10 Most Popular Christmas Cookies – Make Way For These Delicious Treats

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Did you know that the tradition of putting out cookies for Santa dates back to the 30s? It was during the Great Depression that families began leaving out cookies for Santa to teach their children the importance of thankfulness.

Today, the tradition continues and is enjoyed by children and adults alike. And with Christmas just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to share a list of the 10 most popular Christmas cookies.

Trust us; not just Santa but your friends and family will thank you for making these delicious treats!

10 Most Popular Christmas Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

Of course, we had to mention the quintessential Christmas cookie – gingerbread! These deliciously spiced cookies are perfect for decorating any cookie platter.

The cookie’s origin is a bit of a mystery, but it’s believed that the first gingerbread cookies were made in Germany in the 15th century.

Today, there are all sorts of gingerbread cookies – from soft and chewy to crisp and crunchy. But one thing remains the same; they’re always delicious!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

These cookies are a holiday favorite, and for good reason! Peanut butter blossoms are simple to make and only require a few ingredients.

Most recipes call for a Hershey’s Kiss as the cookie’s center, but you can also use other types of chocolate or even caramel.

No matter what you use as the filling, we guarantee these cookies will be a hit!

Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies, a.k.a. Shortie, are a traditional Scottish biscuit dating back to the 12th century. These delicious, crumbly cookies are made with just three ingredients – butter, sugar, and flour.

Despite their simple ingredients, shortbread cookies are surprisingly versatile. You can add in all sorts of flavors like chocolate, lemon, or even lavender. Or, you can keep them classic and enjoy their buttery flavor.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are another holiday favorite and can be decorated to suit any occasion. Originating in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, these cookies quickly became a favorite.

One of the things that makes sugar cookies so popular is that they can be easily decorated. You can use icing, sprinkles, or even edible markers to make them as unique as you like.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie? We think not! Of course, they’re considered a year-round treat, thanks to their versatility and easy recipe. But we think they make an extra special holiday treat!

Chocolate chip cookies were first created by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. The story goes that Wakefield was making a variation of butterscotch dessert when she had the idea to add chocolate chips and let them fall where they would. And that’s how our favorite cookie was born.

Snickerdoodles

These cinnamon-sugar cookies are a favorite for both kids and adults. The origin of the snickerdoodle is still up for debate, but they’re thought to have originated in New England in the late 80s.

The most distinguishing feature of a snickerdoodle is the coating of cinnamon and sugar. This gives the cookie a delicate crunch and a hard-to-resist sweetness.

Biscotti

Biscotti, also known as Cantucci, is an Italian cookie dating back to the Middle Ages. These twice-baked cookies are perfect for dipping in coffee or tea and make a great holiday gift.

Biscotti comes in various flavors, but the most popular are almonds and hazelnut. You can also find biscotti made with chocolate, dried fruit, or even liqueur.

Macarons

Macarons are a French cookie invented by the Italian chef of Queen Catherine de Medici in the 19th century. These delicate cookies are made with almond flour, sugar, and egg whites and filled with a variety of flavored buttercreams or ganaches.

As with all sugared cookies, macarons are undoubtedly delectable. But what we like most about them is their beautiful appearance. These cookies come in different colors and can be decorated to suit any holiday or occasion.

Rum Balls

Originally invented by Danish bakers, rum balls are typically made with rum, chocolate, and nuts. These no-bake cookies are perfect for those who want to avoid turning on the oven.

While the traditional recipe calls for rolled wafers, you can use any type of cookie or even cake. And, of course, you can always adjust the amount of rum to suit your taste.

Linzer Cookies

Finally, we have something special all the way from Austria, Linzer cookies! These delicious sandwich cookies are made with two buttery cookies and filled with fruit jam. The most popular flavor is raspberry, but you can really use any type of jam you like.

Linzer cookies are actually a variation of Austria’s traditional tart, Linzertorte, which first originated in the town of Linz; hence the name!

While these are just a few of our favorite holiday cookies, there are many more to enjoy. So, get baking, and let us know what your favorite holiday cookie is!

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Gluten Free Snickerdoodles

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There’s nothing like a warm, soft snickerdoodle fresh out of the oven. And these gluten free snickerdoodles are the perfect treat for anyone with a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. Made with a gluten free flour blend, these snickerdoodles are just as delicious as the traditional kind. So whether you’re gluten free or not, be sure to give these a try!

3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/4 cups plus 2 tbsp Bob’s Red Mill gluten free baking blend
1 Egg
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (gluten free)
1/8 tsp salt

For cinnamon sugar:

3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 400° F. Combine 3/4 cup of the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until creamy. Add in all remaining cookie ingredients; beat at low speed until well mixed. Combine cinnamon and sugar in bowl, mixing well. Shape dough into 1inch balls. Roll balls in cinnamon sugar. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden browned.

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Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

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Whether you’re following a gluten-free diet or you’re just looking for a delicious cookie recipe, these gluten-free peanut butter cookies are sure to please. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor. And best of all, they’re easy to make – no special equipment or ingredients required!

3 1/4 cups peanut butter
3 1/4 cups granulated sugar
6 1/2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 1/4 cups chocolate chips (optional)
2 1/3 cups plus 1 tbsp chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheet. Combine eggs, peanut butter and sugar, mixing until smooth. Add in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Spoon the dough by tablespoonfulls onto baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden browned. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for few minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!

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Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

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Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! They are simple to make and so delicious. I love that they are gluten free and can be enjoyed by everyone. These cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering or just to have on hand for a special treat. They are also great for gift giving. I know that I will be making them for my friends and family this holiday season.

1/2 cup Cornstarch
175 g Butter
1/2 c Powdered sugar
1 c Rice flour
Sugar (for sprinkling)

Sift together cornstarch, sugar and rice flour. Add butter, mixing with hands until a soft dough forms. Chill for one hour in refrigerator. Shape the chilled dough into 1 inch balls. Place balls about 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Flatten balls with a lightly floured fork. Bake at 300 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

You can also roll the balls before flattening in finely chopped nuts, make an indentation in the top of the ball and add a small amount of jelly. Then flatten and bake.

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Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

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When it comes to gluten free baking, chocolate chip cookies are one of the easiest recipes to make. This is because the ingredients are simple and the steps are straightforward. Plus, who doesn’t love a classic chocolate chip cookie? This recipe for gluten free chocolate chip cookies is my go-to when I’m in the mood for something sweet. The cookies are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of chocolate. And since they’re gluten free, they’re perfect for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance.

3/4 cup butter (softened)

1 1/4 cups brown sugar (firmly packed)

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

2 1/4 cups gluten free baking mix (Bob’s Red Mill)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

12 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease or butter cookie sheet.

In medium bowl, cream together butter and both sugars. Gradually add egg and vanilla extract, continuing to mix. Sift together gluten- free baking mix, the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until blended. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfulls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven until light golden brown. Let cool on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before removing to finish cooling on wire racks.

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Vegan Sugar Cookies

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Sugar cookies are a holiday classic, but they don’t have to be off-limits for vegans! These vegan sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and covered in a delicious almond frosting. They’re the perfect treat for any holiday party or family gathering.

1 1/2 C sifted powdered sugar
1 C margarine (softened)
1 tsp almond flavoring
2 1/2 C self-rising flour
1 1/2 tsp EngerG Egg Replacer
2 T water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix the margarine and sugar well. Add the vanilla, egg replacer, water and the almond flavoring, mixing well. Stir in the self rising flour, a little at a time until it forms a dough. Cover and refrigerate for at least a couple hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove dough from refrigerator, cut in half and put the rest of the dough back in the fridge to keep it cool until you are ready to roll it out. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick on a well floured surface. The thinner the dough is, the crispier your cookies will be. Thicker cookies will be softer and take slightly longer to bake. Once rolled out, cut into shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place cookies on lightly oiled cookie sheets. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove cookies and place on wire rack to cool. When cookies are completely cool, decorate with sugar, sprinkles, icing, candy etc.

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Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

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2 1/4 C All purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 C vegan margarine, softened
1 C white sugar
1 1/2 tsp. EnerG Egg Replacer
3 T water
1/4 C molasses
2 T sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside. Cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg replacer, then stir in water and the molasses. Combine with the dry ingredients and combine well. Cover this combined mixture and store it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. While chilling, dust rolling surface and your rolling pin with flour. Oil your cookie sheets.  Take dough out of refrigerator and roll it out on the flour dusted surface, should be about 1/4 inch thick. Next, flour the cookie cutters well and then cut shapes out of dough. Place cookies onto cookie sheet and bake each batch of cookies 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookie batches to cool before decorating. Add icing, candy or other decorations once completely cooled.

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

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A vegan diet is one that abstains from all animal products, including eggs, dairy, and honey. This means that when you want a delicious treat like chocolate chip cookies, you have to get a little creative. Fortunately, there are plenty of recipes for vegan chocolate chip cookies that are just as delicious as the traditional kind. Whether you’re looking for a classic cookie or something a little bit different, these recipes will have your taste buds singing.

  • 6 T Earth Balance
  • 3/4 C light unbleached sugar
  • 3/4 C dark unbleached sugar
  • EnerG egg replacer for 2 eggs
  • 2 T soymilk
  • 1/2 T vanilla
  • 3 C pastry flour
  • 1/4 C oat bran
  • 1/2 T baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 to 1 C chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts preferred)

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Spray cookie sheets with oil. Beat margarine, both sugars, egg replacer, soy milk and vanilla in mixer until well mixed and smooth. Next, in a medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Mix well until it becomes a firm dough. Cut walnut sized pieces out of dough and roll into balls with wet hands. Place on each cookie sheet, leaving sufficient space between each cookie. Press each cookie down slightly. Bake for 5 minutes, turn pan around, and then bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

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Girl Scout Cookies Shortbread

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1/2 c  butter-flavored shortening
1 c  powdered sugar
1/2 t  vanilla
1/4 t  salt
2 T  egg (beaten)
1/2 t  baking soda
2 T  buttermilk
1 1/2 c  all-purpose flour (plus an extra 1/4 cup reserved for rolling)
1/8 t  baking powder

1.  In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar, vanilla, and salt with an electric mixer.
2.  Add the egg and beat mixture until it’s fluffy.  Add the baking soda and mix for about 20 seconds, then add the buttermilk and mix for an additional 30 seconds.  3.  In another bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.
4.  Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well with an electric mixer until flour is incorporated.
5.  Roll the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap and then chill it for 1 hour.  6.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
7. Roll dough out on a well-floured surface to 1/8-inch thick and punch out cookies with a 1 1/2 to 2-inch cutter (a medium-size spice bottle lid works well). Arrange cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 60 cookies.

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