How to Fix Runny Cookie Dough
Cookies are a classic dessert enjoyed by people of all ages. There’s just something about the buttery, flaky texture and sweet, crisp flavor that makes them irresistible. However, one downside to making cookies is that the dough can be a little finicky.
If it’s too wet, your cookies will look and taste like a disaster. But don’t worry, with this guide, you’ll be able to fix any runny cookie dough in no time! In this blog post, we’ll outline a few ways how to fix runny cookie dough. So keep reading for tips that will help you get the perfect batch of cookies every time!
12 Easy Ways on How to Fix Runny Cookie Dough
1. Slightly Undercook the Cookie Dough:
First, you’ll want to undercook your cookie dough slightly. This will help the cookies from spreading too much and make it a little more difficult for them to turn out overcooked or burnt.
2. Higher Percentage of Brown Sugar:
If your cookie dough still seems to be spreading too much once it has become firm, you can add more brown sugar to the recipe. The more brown sugar added, the chewier and less spreadable the cookies. You can also try reducing the flour or increasing the butter in the recipe.
3. Lower Temperature:
Lowering the oven temperature by 50 degrees Fahrenheit can help reduce spreading in cookies, but this will also cause your cookies to take longer to bake, and they may become more crispy than chewy on the outside. Baking at 350°F for half as long as specified in the recipe is another option.
4. Add More Flour:
Adding flour to your cookie dough is the easiest way to make them less spreadable, but it will also be a little crumblier and denser. However, it’s a simple fix if you know that over-spreading isn’t going to be a problem. Just add enough flour to your cookie dough to make it less runny. You can try using all-purpose flour, bread flour (higher protein), or cake flour (lower protein) for best results.
5. Add More Fat:
Adding more butter, brown sugar, cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, or peanut butter to your cookie dough will make it more spreadable. Some of these ingredients are high in fat, so they work so well to combat spreading.
6. Use Room Temperature Ingredients:
Using room temperature ingredients will help prevent your dough from separating as it’s being mixed, which can also cause your cookies to spread too much. If your cookie dough seems a little runny after mixing everything, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes before scooping out your dough balls.
7. Reduce Baking Powder:
Reduce or omit baking powder from the recipe completely to reduce spreading. With a less leavening agent, your cookies will spread less during cooking and won’t rise as much, but they will still turn out chewy and delicious.
8. Freeze Cookie Dough:
If you’re not ready to bake your cookies yet, place the dough balls onto a pan and freeze them for one month before baking. You can then transfer them into an airtight container and store them in your freezer until you’re ready to bake.
9. Add Cornstarch:
Adding cornstarch will help your cookies become less spreadable, but it can also make your cookie dough more crumbly and dry if you add too much. Use just enough cornstarch to keep your dough from spreading while baking. Don’t forget that cornstarch can also make your cookies a little crispier.
10. Add More Water:
If you’re going to add water to your dough, use boiling water instead of cold water. Adding boiling water will help the ingredients in your cookie dough become more homogenous, and it won’t cause as much spreading. You can add just enough to make your dough slightly less spreadable.
11. Cook Longer:
Cooking your cookies for a few extra minutes will help the outside of the set and prevent spreading, but it can also cause them to become more crispy or crunchy on the outside. This is especially true if you have low oven heat or if you’re baking with baking parchment paper.
12. Chill Your Cookie Dough:
Chilling your cookie dough before baking it will help reduce spreading. It allows the flours to absorb more of the butter and other ingredients, which means that less moisture is exposed to heat during the cooking process. Chill your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking it to prevent spreading.
Some Tips to Make Your Cookie Dough Delicious
1. Use 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened (do not substitute with butter-flavor shortening)
2. Beat butter in a large mixing bowl at medium speed until creamy. Add sugar gradually and mix until well blended. This works best when you cream the butter and sugars together for 2-3 minutes on medium speed.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
5. Stir in any desired add-ins.
6. Chill dough for at least one hour. This will ensure that the cookies will not spread out too thin while baking, and it also helps to bring the flavors together. If you chill your cookie dough overnight, give it about 30 minutes on the counter before rolling into balls or scooping onto sheet pans to allow the dough to come up to room temperature.
7. If your cookie dough is too thin, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
What Causes Runny Cookie Dough
The main cause of runny cookie dough is usually over mixing. Over-mixing can cause the cookies to be too thin and spread out too much, resulting in soggy or even raw cookies in the center. Baking soda also causes baked goods to rise in any leavening process. If your recipe calls for baking soda and you do not want your cookies to rise too much, you can use half the amount of baking soda.
If raw dough is causing problems, over-beating the butter and sugar mixture will also result in “over-risen” dough, which can collapse or become sticky once baked. Again, the recipe should indicate when to stop mixing. You should stop once the ingredients are fully blended if it does not.
Can You Make Cookie Dough Thicker Without Flour
Yes, it’s possible. Some recipes for drop cookies call for a mixture of butter and shortening instead of only butter. Higher fat content in the dough makes it more solid and less likely to spread during baking.
Another trick is to use bread or cracker crumbs or even instant oatmeal instead of some flour. Try adding 4 ounces of bread or cracker crumbs to the recipe before mixing all other ingredients. You’ll be amazed how much it helps thicken the dough while cutting down on the carbs and calories in your cookies!
Conclusion
The best way to combat runny cookie dough is by adding a little bit of flour. This will help absorb some moisture and make your cookie dough more manageable. If you find that your dough is still too wet after adding flour, continue to add small amounts until it reaches the desired consistency.
So there you have it, our top tips for how to fix runny cookie dough. We hope that this information was helpful and that your cookies are perfectly delicious! You can ensure that your cookies turn out perfectly every time by following these simple tips!
You Can Check It Out to: Reheat a Cookie
