As there are different flavors and various tastes of cookies, there is nothing such as a wrong version of a cookie. While some people like their cookies as thick and chewy, others like them thin and crispy. Some like it as soft as butter or sometimes a cakey version.
The cakey version is always the less preferred one. Though the ingredients are the same in all the cases, the measurements create the variations here. Hence, you have to keep the consistency and texture right before you bake the first batch of perfect cookies.
So, if you’re wondering how do you make cookies less cakey, then this article is just for you!
Basic Cookie Types
Before we talk about the secret ingredients to make the cookies as you want them, we need to know the different types of cookies that exist. Usually, cookies can be divided into three major groups, such as crispy, chewy, and cakey.
Though the recipe and the ingredients are almost the same, you might end up with the cookies you never wanted. But don’t lose hope cause we’re here to guide you. To understand your preferred type, you have to know what you need to keep in mind to make that perfect batch.
Let’s start with the crispy one. Crispy cookies are usually very thin, brittle, and of course, very crispy. This means they won’t break or bend but might be easily snapped.
On the other hand, chewy cookies are just the opposite. They are malleable and easily bendable before you divide them into two pieces. Lastly comes the cakey cookies. They are usually thick like cakes, but they are also more rigid than the chewy ones.
Secret Ingredients for the Cookies You Want
Here are some points that you need to keep in mind after deciding which type of cookie you want to bake.
Thin and Crispy Cookies
To make your cookies crispy and thin, you need to focus on more butter and granulated sugar. Usually, it’s 2 1/2 sticks unsalted softened butter, 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup of brown sugar.
Soft and Chewy Cookies
To make your cookies soft and chewer, you need to add two types of sugar in different quantities. Add more brown sugar and less granulated sugar along with less butter than usual to get your perfect soft, chewy cookies. Usually, it’s 2 sticks unsalted softened butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of brown sugar.
Cakey Cookies
To make your cookies light and cakey, all you need to do is add more flour. But here’s the thing, if you do not add enough butter, brown sugar, or granulated sugar, your cookies will turn cakey, anyway.
Usually, the measurements are 1 3/4 sticks unsalted softened butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
Now that you know about the cookie type, you can bake cookies as you want and even avoid the cakey version.
Reasons behind Your Cookies Turning into Cakey Ones
There are various factors behind your imagination of baking crispy and chewy cookies, turning into the harsh reality of the cakey ones. Though the mistake might be a minor one, it might lead to a major meltdown of not being able to bake a perfect cookie we all wish for.
In most cases, the mistake usually lies in the ingredients being used, the right amount, and many more. The following points are to be avoided if you don’t want to end up with cakey cookies.
Using a Cake Flour Mix
If you’re using a cake flour mix instead of regular flour, then you are most likely to end up with the cakey version. So use regular flour if you want your cookies to be chewy or crispy.
Too Much Flour
Even if you’re using regular flour, you must not overuse it. If you use more than enough flour in your cookie dough, there’s a high possibility that you’ll end up with a cakier cookie. You can also try different brands of flour and use them in less amount to experiment and see which serves the best.
Too Many Eggs
Eggs are also responsible for turning your cookies into cakey ones. If you’re following a recipe, try to follow the recommended amount of eggs, including the size of the egg too.
Too Much Milk
The last ingredient that you should keep in mind while baking cookies is the amount of milk or other liquid ingredients. If there’s too much milk or any other liquid ingredients in excess amount, your cookies will undoubtedly turn cakey.
How to Fix a Cakey Cookie
Sadly, you can’t tell how your cookies will turn before you bake them. But there are a few hacks that you can apply beforehand that will help you avoid your biggest challenge and make the cookies as it should be.
Bake a Test Batch
We often do a test run before any event or function. Similarly, if you can use a part of your cookie dough and bake a test batch.
After the cookies are baked, you’ll know what ingredient is missing or which ingredient you should add or skip. For example, if your cookies are dense, then you can add more milk or liquid ingredients, but if you like them that way, then you can skip adding the liquid parts.
Follow Appropriate Measurements
This is extremely important. Whenever you’re following a recipe, try to follow the exact measurements that are mentioned there. Use measurement cups and spoons while baking them to keep the texture perfect. Usually, baking is a tough job, but if you can get the measurements right, it’ll be as easy as water.
Eggs and Egg Size
The right amount of eggs and egg size is also important. If the recipe mentions that you need to use two large eggs, but if you use two medium-sized eggs or three small-sized eggs, the results will be different in all the cases. So this is also an important point that you need to keep in mind.
Keep on Experimenting
Lastly, you need to keep on your experimentation of baking cookies until they become perfect. Even for any sort of baking, be it a pie, or a cake, or any kind of dessert, practice is the key to success.
Every time you bake cookies, try to keep a journal and note down which ingredient differs from the previous batch. After baking them, try it and write a quick review or provide your rating. This will help you understand and observe how ingredients can affect and change your cookies into magical and delicious goodies.
Conclusion
So, if you’re a baker or just want to bake cookies so you can dip them in warm milk, then make sure you keep all the above tips in mind. Hopefully, you end up with the perfect batch of cookies you wished for with the help of our “how do you make cookies less cakey” guide.