Having problems with cookies? Use this guide to prevent or troubleshoot issues while baking your next batch.
Problem | Cause(s) | Solution |
Dense or too hard | Insufficient liquid in the dough, insufficient fat content in the dough, too much flour, overmixed | Adjust recipe/measure carefully, add eggs, adjust the recipe/measure fat carefully, adjust the recipe/measure cream carefully, don’t overmix when adding dry ingredients |
Tough | Over-baked, improper flour used, too much flour in dough, not enough fat in dough, not enough sugar in dough, dough overmixed, dough reworked from rolling | Remove from oven promptly, use lower-protein flour, adjust recipe/measure carefully, adjust recipe/measure carefully, adjust recipe/measure carefully, do not overmix after adding dry ingredients, roll dough carefully, do no re-roll scrap dough |
Too crumbly | Lacks gluten development; too much leavener, fat or sugar used in the dough; too few eggs in the dough, dough is too thin | Mix longer, use high-protein flour, adjust recipe/measure carefully, adjust recipe/measure eggs carefully, roll or cut dough thicker |
Flatten and spread too much | Wrong type of flour used, too little flour in dough; too much leavener, fat or liquid; over-greased cookie sheets, dough was too warm before baking, oven is too cool | Use a high-protein flour, adjust recipe/measure carefully, grease pans carefully, chill dough thoroughly prior to use, adjust oven temp |
Does not spread | Wrong type of flour used, too much flour in dough, wrong fat used; too little sugar, leavener or liquid used; improperly mixed, dough is too thick, oven is too hot | Use lower-protein flour, adjust recipe/measure carefully, replace shortening with butter or oil, adjust recipe/measure carefully, cream fat and sugar properly; roll/cut thinner, bake longer; adjust oven temp, bake for longer period |
Too pale | Insufficient sugar content in dough, oven is too cool, underbaked | Adjust recipe/measure sugar carefully, adjust oven temp, bake for a longer period |
Burned or too dark | Too much sugar in dough, oven temp too hot, cookies overbaked, uneven oven heat | Adjust recipe/measure sugar carefully, adjust the oven temp, remove cookies promptly, rotate pans in oven |
Poor flavor | Poor ingredients, unclean pans | Check freshness, smell and flavor of ingredients; do not use rancid fats or re-use parchment paper |