Too hard
This is probably one of the most common of the common problems. Usually it's caused by overmixing (it's tempting, I know.) or adding too much flour.
Only mix your dough until all the ingredients are added; and if you're rolling out your cookies, don't use too much flour on the side. Use just enough that they don't stick and dust some on the rolling pin to help with that.
It's not caused by over-cooking! Over cooking makes crunchy cookies, not hard-all-the-way-through cookies!
Only mix your dough until all the ingredients are added; and if you're rolling out your cookies, don't use too much flour on the side. Use just enough that they don't stick and dust some on the rolling pin to help with that.
It's not caused by over-cooking! Over cooking makes crunchy cookies, not hard-all-the-way-through cookies!
Really varied cookedness
This is when some of the cookies are cooked, yet others aren't, or are too much! Usually it's because they're not all the same size or thickness.
It's a real pain, but easily fixed by using an ice-cream scoop to measure amounts for drop cookies, and biscuit guides for rolled cookies.
It's a real pain, but easily fixed by using an ice-cream scoop to measure amounts for drop cookies, and biscuit guides for rolled cookies.
Burned Bottoms
The most utterly frustrating issue. Normally it's caused by having the wrong baking sheet, or a very dark one. Try using baking paper if you can, which is also good because you don't have to wash up your sheet!
Totally burned cookies
I think the cause is pretty obvious!
The easiest way to fix it is to make an alarm on your phone, set a timer on the oven, or get one of those twisty egg-timers. As cookies cool, they cook, so take them off the sheet onto a cooling rack to cool, so that they are totally away from the heat.
The easiest way to fix it is to make an alarm on your phone, set a timer on the oven, or get one of those twisty egg-timers. As cookies cool, they cook, so take them off the sheet onto a cooling rack to cool, so that they are totally away from the heat.