10 Tips To Making Homemade Cookies Easier!

Homemade cookies are a yummy dessert that virtually everyone loves for any occasion! Try these easy tips that will help you make homemade cookies easier!

10 Tips To Making Homemade Cookies Easier!

• If you keep having trouble with your homemade drop cookies spreading badly then try using solid shortening (like Crisco) instead of margarine or butter. Not only does this help with the baking but also with the budget and I have yet to see a difference in the favor. As a matter of fact most of the old favorite recipes were originally made with shortening but we have changed them because it is easier to throw in a stick of butter then to measure the shortening.
• Speaking of measuring shortening, here are two easy ways to do that. First you can use an ice cream scoop, which is equal to 1/4 cup, or you can use a 2 cup measuring cup with the water method. This is where you fill the cup with 1 cup of water. If you need a cup of shortening then add enough shortening to the water in the cup to make the water rise to the 2 cup mark. If you need 1/2 cup then add enough so the water line raises to 1 1/2 cups etc. After you get your amount measured just scoop it out of the water and use.

• Here’s another idea for homemade cookies: When baking bar cookies or brownies, line the pan with foil. This not only makes clean up easier but you can lift them out of the pan when cooled and they are easier to cut. I don’t mind making the cookies — it’s the clean up I hate, so little things like this inspire me more to bake.
• For Christmas cookies here is a tip that will save you time when December comes. Starting now, whenever you bake a batch of homemade cookies, only bake a couple of sheets. Take the batter that is left and drop it on wax paper laid on a cookie sheet as if you were going to bake them, but instead put them into the freezer. Once frozen, put them in a freezer bag to keep until you need them.
• Closer to Christmas you will have a variety of homemade cookies that you can pop into the oven when unexpected company comes or when you discover you forgot to make treats for school. If nothing else it will save on your cookie baking time closer to Christmas.
• Most homemade cookie doughs can be frozen and if wrapped well will keep fine for 3-4 months until Christmas so get ahead. If you are unsure about what kinds of homemade cookies can or can’t be frozen go to the grocery store and see what kinds they have in their refrigerator and freezer sections. You can freeze the same kinds, including chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies and others.

• Bake your favorite pan of brownies and cut them into squares. Take a small cookie cutter, cut out the center and fill with frosting. Use a cookie cutter for each different holiday; a heart for Valentine’s Day, a four leaf clover for St. Patrick’s Day or an egg or a rabbit for Easter. You can also use the appropriate color of frosting for that holiday.
• Make Rice Krispy treats. Using food coloring, color them red, green or pastel — once again, the colors for that holiday. When they are done, use a cookie cutter to cut them out into hearts, clovers, eggs, rabbits etc.
• Make No-Bake Cookies for when you are in a hurry. Kids love them just as much!
• If you are afraid that you will use too much flour for rolling out your cookies try rolling them out with powdered sugar instead. 

 

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