The second problem ingredient is not enough flour. Expired Baking Soda or Powder Baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents in our cookies, which means that they help our cookies rise. 1/4 teaspoon of salt. If the butter is too warm when you put the dough together, the cookies will spread because the fat in the cookies will melt faster. This post may contain affiliate links. Here are all of our tips to prevent cookies from spreading. If there is a considerable number of people who are saying that a certain adjustment helped their cookies, you may want to consider making that adjustment. STEP 4 - Bake the cookies. Not sure what too me so long to research, lol! The baking powder will lighten the cookies and make them fluffier as it rises when activated by heat. Reserved. Its frustrating, unappetizing, and a waste of money. Theres nothing worse than baking off fresh cookies, anticipating perfectly fluffy results, only to have them turn out flat-as-pancakes. Maybe you tried to compensate for other ingredients within the cookie and it messed with the way other ingredients work. Im sharing my 10 guaranteed tips to prevent flat cookies. First, you will want it to lose the majority of its heat by letting it sit out at room temperature for no more than 10 minutes. They are popular during the Christmas season, but can be enjoyed all year round. Photo by: SouthernLightStudios/Getty Images. In the long-term, consider buying an oven thermometer and leaving it in your oven so you know your ovens exact temperature. I have improved my baking a lot with your tips and recipes. What went wrong? These white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies are meant to have soft, but not raw centers. Finally, you will want to make sure that your baking sheet isnt too hot when you are making a second or third batch of cookies. I havent made this particular recipe yet, but I have your cookie cookbook and have made several recipes from it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to BakingHow.com. 3 On a medium speed, slowly add the egg whites. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. If youre having the opposite problem and your cookies wont spread, youre likely using too much flour or too-cold butter. For your convenience a printable version of the recipe is at the bottom of this post. Then, drop vinegar or lemon juice inside. Preheat you oven to 375 F/190 C and make sure the temperature is right before putting the cookies in the oven. It could also be an issue with your dough being too chilled, incorrect oven temperature, or too much leavening agent. Hi Debra, its always so frustrating when cookies over-spread. Cookies rely on the perfect ratio of butter (or fat) and flour. Add the lemon zest. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350F. As a result your cookies will spread and become flat in the oven. I have even tried using a combined egg white and milk coatings but it still happens. Plus, ice cream sandwiches with cookies often call for specifically flat cookies to make them easier to hold, turning your flat cookies into a tasty summer treat. Otherwise, shape your cookies and freeze them on the baking sheet until theyre solid. Break 7 to 8 ounces almond paste into roughly 1-inch pieces and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Extra sugar=extra liquid. Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder: What's the Difference? Always make sure youre using a room-temperature cookie sheet for your cookie dough. They're also popular in places with large Italian communities, like New York.