If your cookies turned out soft in the middle despite baking them until the edges were dark and crispy, you’re not alone! Let’s break down some common reasons why this happens and a few tips to help you achieve the texture you want.
1. Creaming Butter and Sugar Adds Air
When you creamed your browned butter and sugar until light and fluffy, you added a good amount of air to the mixture. This technique creates a soft, tender texture in cookies because the air bubbles expand as they bake, making the cookie softer rather than crispy. If you’re looking for a crisper texture, try creaming the butter and sugar just until combined to reduce the amount of air in the dough.
2. Using Brown Sugar Over White Sugar
Brown sugar has more moisture than white sugar, which contributes to a softer, chewier cookie. The molasses in brown sugar keeps the cookies moist even after baking. If you want a crisper texture, consider reducing the brown sugar and adding more white sugar to help your cookies spread more and bake up thinner.
3. Temperature of Butter
Starting with butter that’s closer to room temperature, instead of fully chilled, can help the cookies spread out as they bake. When cookies spread, they tend to bake thinner and end up crisper. If the butter is cold, it prevents spreading and results in a thicker, softer cookie.
4. Cooling on the Baking Sheet vs. Cooling Rack
Allowing cookies to cool on the baking sheet causes them to absorb steam, which can soften the cookie bottoms. Transferring them to a cooling rack a few minutes after they come out of the oven allows airflow around each cookie, preventing steam buildup that softens the cookies. Be sure not to leave them on the parchment paper, as this can also trap moisture.
5. Cornstarch in the Dough
Cornstarch is commonly used to create soft, chewy cookies. If you prefer a crispier cookie, you might want to skip the cornstarch, as it tends to keep cookies softer for longer.
6. Humidity and Storage
Humidity from the air or steam trapped in the container can soften cookies, especially if they have crispy edges. To keep cookies as crispy as possible, store them in an airtight container with a slice of toast, which will absorb any moisture. If you want them to stay crispy longer, consider baking them slightly longer or at a lower temperature to dry them out more.
Hopefully, these tips will help you get your cookies just the way you want them! Letting butter warm up, reducing brown sugar, cooling them on a rack, and skipping cornstarch could be game-changers for achieving that perfect crunch.
