Baking cookies

Today I am going to show you how to bake cookies. First, gather your ingredients and equipment. Typical cookie recipes call for flour, (all-purpose is common), baking soda or powder, salt, butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and your chosen mix-ins (like chocolate chips or nuts). You'll need mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, an electric mixer (optional, but helpful for creaming butter and sugar), a spatula or spoon for mixing, baking sheets and parchment paper or silicone baking mat for lining your sheets. You may also want a cookie scoop for uniform sizing. Second, prepare for baking. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 375°F (175-190°C). Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy, says Quebrada Baking Company. Line them with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and aid in even baking. Avoid greasing with butter as it can cause burning. Third, mix wet ingredients. Beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until the mixer is light and fluffy. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air into the mixture contributing to a lighter cookie texture according to Cloudy Kitchen. Beat in eggs one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Fourth, combine with dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda or powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leaving agents and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough cookies. Fold in your chosen mix-ins (chocolate chips or nuts) by hand. Fifth, chill and shape the dough (recommended). Chilling the dough, ideally for at least an hour, helps prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies, says Sally's Baking Addiction. It also enchances flavor. Scoop or drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leave enough space between them for spreading during baking. Sixth, bake and cool. Bake the cookies for the time specified in your recipe, typically 9-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are all set but slightly underbaked for a chewier cookie. Remember that cookies continue to cook slightly as the cool on the baking sheet. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.