The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 9: How To Make the Perfect Cookie

I know a lot of people wonder how to make a great cookie - one that's golden brown, a perfect size, and tastes delicious.  So here are four tips that I hope really help all you bakers out there:

1.  Use a cookie scoop!  This is the absolute best tool to use to make perfectly shaped cookies that are consistently the same size.  I like to use an Onieda Cookie Scoop.  If you don't have one - get one!

2.  Use parchment paper!  I don't know how many years went by until I figured out this trick for baking perfectly golden brown cookies that never stick to the sheet pan.

3.  When a recipe calls for butter, use butter!  Don't substitute margarine or a low fat/light version.  A cookie needs butter for a reason.  Also, remember that when creaming butter, it needs to be cool to the touch but easily spreadable.  Butter that's too warm will create a flat cookie.

4.  This really isn't a baking tip, but it definitely helps keep your masterpieces fresh.  Store your cookies in a sealed container in the refrigerator.  Sure, cookies jars are super cute, but they tend to make for a stale, dried out cookie.

I hope these ideas/tips help you out a bit in your baking endeavors!  Happy baking!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 10: Peppermint Brownies