With all the cookie baking happening this time of year, I thought you might be interested in these tidbits of information that I’ve gleaned that might help you solve some of your baking glitches!
Crumbly Dough
Glitch: My dough is too crumbly.
Fix: Master measuring – accurately. Instead of scooping dry ingredients right from the bag, spoon them into a dry measuring cup. Level it off by sweeping a flat spatula or knife across the top. This keeps the contents fluffy and not packed inside.
Uneven Sizes
Glitch: My cookies come out in different, uneven sizes.
Fix: Get portion-perfect with a cookie scoop. Scope out your favorite kitchen supply store for a sturdy ice cream or cookie scoop. Bakers love the ones with squeeze handles that easily pop out dough in matching drops. There are many sizes, but you really need only 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, or 2 tablespoon scoops.
Rolling and Slicing
Glitch: I have a hard time rolling my slice-and-bake cookies into a log and knowing where to slice them.
Fix: Let parchment paper be your guide. Spread dough horizontally on parchment. Fold the paper over the dough with the edges facing you. Hold a ruler at the base of the dough and pull on the bottom layer of paper. It’s tightened to form a log. At baking time, use the ruler and a pencil or food-safe marker to mark every one-fourth inch along the parchment. With a knife, lightly score the dough at each mark. Unwrap the log, and slice.
Helpful Hints from Seasoned Bakers
I’m not sure exactly where I found these hints, but I do know each of them works because I’ve used them many times. My mother-in-law made fabulous lemon cookies that she rolled, then sliced, baked, and frosted, making them mouth-watering little ‘sandwiches.’
Various Butters
The other night, I was making almond roca bars and thought, “Hmm, I wonder if I can use tub margarine instead of butter,” and then I thought, “No better follow the recipe. You know the difference”. So, here is the breakdown of the various butters, compliments of the December 2011 Cooking Light magazine, page 43, just in case you wonder what the difference is too.
Regular Butter
What is it? Cream, the fatty top layer of whole milk, is churned until fat solids separate. By law, butter must contain at least 80% milk fat; artisanal versions may have more. May be salted and cultured. Baking: Fat coats flour proteins and holds air bubbles produced by leaveners to create a tender texture. Also, key for browning. Nutrition: 100 calories, 11 grams fat (7 grams saturated, 0 grams trans fats) per tablespoon.
Margarine
What is it? Forcing hydrogen through vegetable oils makes margarine solid at room temp but also produces trans fats. Check ingredients; many margarines still use these hydrogenated oils. Others now blend trans-fat-free palm oils with emulsified vegetable oils. Baking: Stick margarines with 80% fat content work like butter, but spreadable styles won’t hold form when baking. Nutrition: 100 calories, 11 grams fat (2 – 4 grams saturated, 0 – 2.5 grams trans fat) per tablespoon.
Whipped Butter
What is it? Simply butter with air beaten into it. Fat savings vary between brands, from 30% to 50%. Available salted or plain. Baking: With less fat, whipped butter cannot be substituted precisely in baking. Use as a spread only. Nutrition: 50 – 700 calories, 6 – 7 grams fat (3.5 – 5 grams saturated, 0 grams trans fat) per tablespoon.
Light/Reduced-Fat Butter
What is it? Most start with ordinary butter, then replace some of the fat with water, starches, gelatins, or emulsifiers. Most also include salt to balance the flavor. Baking: Higher moisture impairs leavening and browning. Another one to use as a spread. Nutrition: 50 – 80 calories, 6 – 8 g fat (2.5 – 5 grams saturated, 0 grams trans fat) per tablespoon.
European and Artisanal Butter
What is it? European versions can contain up to 90% milk fat, which may result in an extra gram of saturated fat. Sold in 1- or 1 1/2-pound blocks versus U.S. sticks. Also may or may not be salted. Baking: No different from regular, though refined palates may detect extra richness. Many are also cultured, which adds subtle depth. Nutrition: 100 calories, 11 grams fat (7 – 8 grams saturated, 0 grams trans fat) per tablespoon.
Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator