Hello Cookie Lovers,

How are you?

Have you noticed that most if not all cookie recipes call for letting cookies cool completely on wire racks before serving? Science also implies that cooling should be a step before eating. The reason is due to “carry-over baking.

Well, in reality, there are exceptions to every rule.

I just happened to have some store-bought chocolate chip cookies in the house during the last holidays. I tried a couple of them when they first arrived. The thought that I had tasted better chocolate chip cookies did cross my mind at the time.

A few days later, as I sat looking at them with a glass of milk in my hand before going to bed, I suddenly wanted to try something. I put a couple of those chocolate chip cookies in the microwave and warm them up for 10 seconds.

I was both surprised and pleased that they tasted so much better when warm. It darned on me then why most people prefer homemade cookies to store-bought. It’s the hot out-of-the-oven factor that makes the difference.

Agreeing or not, I hope that you would try these recipes that I have recently posted.

Breakfast Cookies with Apples, Oatmeal, Raisins – Ingredients and baking directions for the most delicious homemade breakfast cookies, and the best place to get fresh apples.

Sweeten Your Tea Party with Homemade Ricotta Cookies – Introducing a community called Little Italy and a perfect addition to your next tea party, ricotta cookies.

Spanish Recipes for Homemade Cookies and Cultural Traditions – The Hispanic Society of America and baking mantecados are two highly recommended Spanish recipes.


Hints on Baking Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

  1. Let dough rest at least overnight before baking.

    Firm dough tends to bake consistently and yields better cookies. For dough to firm up, it needs time to absorb as much liquid as possible.

    Liquid in a chocolate chip cookie formula usually comes from eggs which is gelatinous and not readily absorbable. Moreover, butter or fat coats dry ingredients, and slow down the absorption-progress.

  2. Size does matter – Bigger is better.

    A cookie lover will experience 3 distinct textures with an oversize chocolate chip cookie. The area nearest to the edges tends to be crunchy, the center is soft, and the area in between takes on a perfect blend of all available flavors and textures.

    A diversity in texture yields perfect chocolate chip cookies.

  3. Last but certainly not least, don’t underestimate the importance of salt in sweet homemade cookies. It effectively brings out any hidden flavor.

Until next time ….Keep on baking.


Published date: February 24th, 2012

Copyright 2012 by Trinh Lieu. All right reserved.