1. Use Brown Sugar
Add two tablespoons of light or dark brown sugar to your cookie recipe. Brown sugar can hold extra moisture because of its molecular structure (science!). The glucose and fructose found in it are hygroscopic, which means they suck up and hang onto moisture and moisture = soft, chewy cookies.
2. Store the Cookies with Bread
You can thank your grandma for this time-tested trick. You probably saw her store her brown sugar with a piece of bread to keep it soft and workable. The same thing goes for freshly baked treats. When you pack cookies away in a container or storage bag, toss in half a slice of any kind of bread before sealing them up. Basically, the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, which keeps them nice and soft. Just make sure you don’t go overboard—too much bread will turn your baked goods to mush. (And choose a neutral bread so it doesn’t transfer its flavors to the cookies.)
3. Under-Bake Your Cookies
Ever accidentally bake a batch of cookies for too long, only to find that they were crunchy and hard instead of soft and chewy? The opposite goes for under-baking. Pull your cookies out of the oven a minute or two early (while the centers are still gooey). Once they’re just cool enough to transfer, put them in a storage bag or container. They’ll stay moist and chewy for longer that way.
4. Scoop the Cookie Dough in Mounds
The next time you’re baking a batch of cookies, try scooping the dough into tall mounds instead of flattening them on the baking sheet. They’ll bake up with softer centers where the dough is thicker, which will help them stay chewy for longer.
5. Use Corn Syrup
Before you freak out! Corn syrup (and not the high fructose kind) is kind of a baking miracle. It’s what’s called an invert sugar, meaning it’s liquid at room temperature. Why does that matter? Because if you add just a tablespoon to your recipe, it will give you a cookie with a crisp edge and chewy center that will stay that way for longer.
6. Store Them in an Airtight Container
This is critical. Whether you’re keeping your little masterpieces in a zippy bag or a reusable container, it’s got to be completely air-tight. Remember, air is the enemy and will draw out any moisture it can find.
Ready to Cook? Here Are 5 Cookie Recipes to Try:
FAQs
Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.
What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›
It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch. That's right, the flavorless thickening agent used for soups, stews, and curries is also the secret weapon for baked goods that boast a silky-smooth mouthfeel.
How do bakeries keep their cookies soft? ›
Corn Syrup (Light)
Light corn syrup is sometimes used in specialist cakes and confectioneries to help keep baked products soft and doughy for longer.
Why do my cookies get hard the next day? ›
Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.
What homemade cookies stay fresh the longest? ›
Dry cookies, like shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, and Danish butter cookies, will stay fresher for longer because they have very little moisture.
How do you make cookies soft and not hard? ›
How to Quickly Soften Hard Cookies: Two Simple Methods
- Wrap the cookies in a paper towel.
- Place in the microwave for 1 minute.
- The paper will absorb any excess moisture.
- That's it! Your cookies are as deliciously warm and crisp as the day they were baked.
Seal out the air to seal in the moisture
To keep your cookies soft, Weekes recommends opting for an airtight container or for even more insurance against staleness, try wrapping the cookies individually in plastic wrap before storing them in an airtight container or resealable bag.
What is the trick to keep baked goods like cookies soft? ›
Keep cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag, storing in a single layer if possible. Store at room temperature. The fridge can also cause retrogradation, causing the starch molecules of your cookies to crystallize and harden.
What makes a cookie more soft? ›
What Makes Cookies Soft?
- Brown sugar, as it has a high moisture content and retains moisture better than white sugar. ...
- Shortening instead of butter or in addition to butter. ...
- Baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
- Eggs, particularly egg yolks. ...
- Cake flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Steps
- Let cookies cool after baking.
- Place cookies in a fully sealable plastic bag or container.
- Store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.
Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›
Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.
What makes cookies chewy instead of crispy? ›
Chewy cookies
Sugar dissolved in baking forms a syrup as the dough heats up. Different types of sugars affect the texture because they absorb different amounts of water. Remember moisture is the key! White sugar creates crispier cookies and brown sugar creates chewier cookies.
What can I put in cookies to make them last longer? ›
Cookies are always best eaten fresh from the oven, but sometimes they need to be saved for later. If you have the willpower not to eat the cookies immediately, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. This will help him stay stale longer.
How do you increase the shelf life of homemade cookies? ›
Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life
- Keep it in the Freezer. ...
- Keep it Tightly Sealed. ...
- Work Honey into the Recipe. ...
- Work Cinnamon into the Recipe. ...
- Add in a Bit of Pectin. ...
- Add an Enzyme. ...
- Why It's Important to Extend Shelf Life.
Most cookie recipes last up to five days at room temperature if stored correctly, but a few need to be eaten right away for the best results. If you need your cookies to last longer, you can also refrigerate or freeze most doughs and bake them when you need them. Frozen cookies or dough can last up to three months!
What is the secret to super chewy cookies? ›
Rest the Dough A secret baker's trick is to rest your cookie dough in the fridge. You can rest it for at least an hour, which will evaporate some of the water and increase the sugar content, helping to keep your baked cookies chewy.
How do you make cookies more solid? ›
Chill the Cookie Dough
Chilling cookie dough in the refrigerator firms it up, which decreases the possibility of over-spreading. It not only ensures a thicker, more solid cookie but an enhanced flavor as well. In these soft chocolate chip cookies, for example, it helps develop a heightened buttery, caramel-y flavor.
