How To Soften Hard Cookies
Here are some tips and tricks on how to soften hard cookies to continue enjoying your batch much longer.
Few things are more disappointing than biting into a cookie that’s too hard. Sometimes, even the most carefully stored cookies can lose texture over time.
We’ll explore practical techniques for softening overly-hard cookies and why cookies become hard.
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Why Cookies Become Hard
- Overbaking: When cookies are baked for too long or at a high temperature, they can become dry and tough.
- Improper storage: If cookies are not stored properly, they can become exposed to air and moisture, which can cause them to harden.
- Ingredient ratios: The ratio of ingredients in the cookie recipe can also affect their texture. For example, using too much flour or not enough fat can result in hard cookies.
- Quality of ingredients: Using lower-quality ingredients, such as old or stale flour, can also affect the texture of cookies.
How To Prevent Cookies From Getting Hard
- Store in an airtight container: After the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container. This will prevent moisture from escaping and keep the cookies fresh.
- Use brown sugar: It contains more moisture than granulated sugar, which keeps cookies soft and chewy.
- Don’t overbake.
- Add corn syrup to the cookie dough: The humectant properties of corn syrup or other liquid sweeteners help attract and hold moisture in the cookies, which keeps them soft.
How To Soften Cookies
1. Using Bread
- Place the hard cookies in an airtight container.
- Add a slice of fresh bread to the container.
- Seal the container and leave it overnight. The moisture from the bread will transfer to the cookies, making them softer.
- Check the cookies in the morning. You can repeat the process with a fresh slice of bread if they’re not soft enough.
- Be sure to remove the bread from the container before storing the cookies, as the bread can become moldy over time.
2. Using an Apple Slice
Add a slice of apple to the cookie container and leave it overnight. Like the bread method, the moisture from the fruit will transfer to the cookies.
3. Microwave with a Damp Paper Towel
- Wet a paper towel with water and wring out any excess.
- Place the paper towel on a microwave-safe plate and add the cookies.
- Microwave the cookies on high for 10 seconds.
- Check the cookies to see if they have softened. If not, repeat for another 5-10 seconds. Be careful not to microwave the cookies too long, as they can become overly soft or burnt.
- Remove the plate from the microwave and let the cookies cool for a minute before serving.
4. Using the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cookies and cover them with a damp paper towel or aluminum foil.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven for 5-10 minutes, depending on the number and size of the cookies.
- Check the cookies frequently and remove them from the oven as soon as they have softened. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Keeping Cookies Soft
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them.
- Choose a container with a tight-fitting lid or one with a built-in seal to prevent moisture loss and exposure to air.
- Keep away from direct sunlight or heat, as this can cause them to dry out.
- Add a piece of bread, an apple slice, or a damp paper towel to the container to maintain the moisture of soft cookies.
- Use a Terra Cotta disk or a food-grade silica gel packet inside the container to help control the humidity and freshness.
Can I use water to soften hard cookies?
While water can soften cookies, it is not the most effective method. Water can cause cookies to become mushy if left in it for too long.