Help for the flour bedaubed and desperate - my sugar cookies break teeth...

[Lorelei]

Calling Ellen, Marcy, MrssMITH /Salvo and those who bake.

Last night I made a batch of sugar cookies for Hubby. They came out great until this morning, when they had cooled and rested over night, they are so solid and hard, it is very difficult to bite into them without cracking a molar

Is this normal that sugar cookies should turn into rock hard cement????

I followed a recipe Hubby found on the net, and I didn't have any cream of tartar, could that be it?

please advise...

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Lorelei,

I can''t answer your questions but I do have a recommendation. When that''s happened to me, I''ve put a piece of bread in with the cookies (I think it was chocolate chip though, not sugar cookies). I can''t remember where I heard that that''s supposed to make cookies softer, but it works. Maybe you could give it a try until the others chime in. Hope this helps!

 

[MaryAlaina]

I''ve also heard of putting a slice of apple in a sealed container with the cookies. Either the bread or apple will lose its moisture, while the cookies absorb it.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:01:37 AM
Author: MaryAlaina
I''ve also heard of putting a slice of apple in a sealed container with the cookies. Either the bread or apple will lose its moisture, while the cookies absorb it.

I tried that, and it made my cookies taste of apples.

 

[Lorelei]

Zoe and Mary, thanks so much for the help! I will try both of those ideas, they make good sense!

 

[Ellen]

Loerlei, I had no idea what to tell you. I don''t bake sugar cookies cuz no one around here is crazy about them.

And I also had no clue what cream of tartar actually did, so I looked it up. From what I''ve read, it seems to help add volume to eggs. So, without it, I guess the cookies may not have risen appropriately, becoming more compact, and therefore harder? Guessing here....

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=535753

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:14:04 AM
Author: Ellen
Loerlei, I had no idea what to tell you. I don''t bake sugar cookies cuz no one around here is crazy about them.

And I also had no clue what cream of tartar actually did, so I looked it up. From what I''ve read, it seems to help add volume to eggs. So, without it, I guess the cookies may not have risen appropriately, becoming more compact, and therefore harder? Guessing here....

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=535753

Thanks El ! I wonder if perhaps it was not having the cream of tartar that caused the problem, but I have been shopping and bought some, so I will have to try another batch.

I don''t even think the chickens could cope with these sugar cookies, they might damage their beaks! Heck - I think even the horses would have problems chewing them!

 

[zoebartlett]

Just make sure that the cookies and bread, if you try it, are in an air tight container.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:26:20 AM
Author: zoebartlett
Just make sure that the cookies and bread, if you try it, are in an air tight container.

I bet that is where I went wrong, I put them on a plate and covered them in foil, I bet it wasn''t enough protection and they dried out too much...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:27:46 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/16/2007 10:26:20 AM
Author: zoebartlett
Just make sure that the cookies and bread, if you try it, are in an air tight container.

I bet that is where I went wrong, I put them on a plate and covered them in foil, I bet it wasn''t enough protection and they dried out too much...

Well, that might have something to do with it, buy I just don''t think to THAT extent. Sounds like we''re talking lethal weapons here. (might keep them handy in case you get really mad at hubs)

Try another batch with the COT, I really think that may have more to do with it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:37:09 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/16/2007 10:27:46 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/16/2007 10:26:20 AM
Author: zoebartlett
Just make sure that the cookies and bread, if you try it, are in an air tight container.

I bet that is where I went wrong, I put them on a plate and covered them in foil, I bet it wasn''t enough protection and they dried out too much...

Well, that might have something to do with it, buy I just don''t think to THAT extent. Sounds like we''re talking lethal weapons here. (might keep them handy in case you get really mad at hubs)

Try another batch with the COT, I really think that may have more to do with it.

I tell ya, maybe I could sell them to Bond movie producers or something to knock out villains with one blow / bite! You may have a point they could come in handy also in case Sir doesn''t behave himself...

I think I may try another batch with the COT though sometime.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:40:16 AM
Author: Lorelei

I tell ya, maybe I could sell them to Bond movie producers or something to knock out villains with one blow / bite! You may have a point they could come in handy also in case Sir doesn''t behave himself...

I think I may try another batch with the COT though sometime.

By George, you may be ON to something....


Yer gonna be rich!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:47:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/16/2007 10:40:16 AM
Author: Lorelei

I tell ya, maybe I could sell them to Bond movie producers or something to knock out villains with one blow / bite! You may have a point they could come in handy also in case Sir doesn''t behave himself...

I think I may try another batch with the COT though sometime.

By George, you may be ON to something....


Yer gonna be rich!

I could handle that!!

 

[somethingshiny]

I''ve had good luck with Martha Stewart sugar cookie recipe. (they''re the only ones that didn''t end up being flung to the birds.)

 

[crown1]

try this site www.preparedpantry.com/index.asp?PageActions=Customs&ID=289

this site lists too much flour and over mixing as possible causes of tough sugar cookies. sorry don''t know how to link you directly. hth.

 

[Lorelei]

Crown, that did indeed help, thanks so much! I have read up on the sugar cookie advice and it was really useful, so I have saved the site for future reference.

SomethingShiny, I will definitely check out Martha for her recipe - thanks!

 

[Mara]

i was going to suggest possibly overmixing as well, i have just started to fold in my flour and dry goods to the wet when i make any cookie, rather than whipping it into a frenzy which seems so tempting but i don't think does the cookies any good. what i have read says when it looks just slightly undermixed, not 1000% incorporated is when to stop.

also i have had a lot of success putting applesauce in for some of the sugar and butter in recipes, yesterday i made double chocolate dream peppermint cookies and used 1/2 the butter and 3/4 of the sugars and about 1/2c applesauce and they came out really good, seriously so sweet and rich that i can't IMAGINE where the other 1/2 of the butter would have gone!! and i think that the applesauce helps make them a bit more puffy and moist.

lastly be sure not to overbake them. its very hard for me to take out cookies when they don't feel completely firm but many times if i wait til they are, they are nice coming out of the oven but once they cool they are too hard.

yummy cookies!!! keep trying, it's fun to experiment hehe.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/16/2007 12:17:44 PM
Author: crown1
this site lists too much flour and over mixing as possible causes of tough sugar cookies. sorry don''t know how to link you directly. hth.

*nods* I make a modified version of the chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the Tollhouse bag, and I always put in 1/4 cup less of flour so they cookies stay soft and chewy.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 12:27:59 PM
Author: Mara
i was going to suggest possibly overmixing as well, i have just started to fold in my flour and dry goods to the wet when i make any cookie, rather than whipping it into a frenzy which seems so tempting but i don't think does the cookies any good. what i have read says when it looks just slightly undermixed, not 1000% incorporated is when to stop.

also i have had a lot of success putting applesauce in for some of the sugar and butter in recipes, yesterday i made double chocolate dream peppermint cookies and used 1/2 the butter and 3/4 of the sugars and about 1/2c applesauce and they came out really good, seriously so sweet and rich that i can't IMAGINE where the other 1/2 of the butter would have gone!! and i think that the applesauce helps make them a bit more puffy and moist.

lastly be sure not to overbake them. its very hard for me to take out cookies when they don't feel completely firm but many times if i wait til they are, they are nice coming out of the oven but once they cool they are too hard.

yummy cookies!!! keep trying, it's fun to experiment hehe.

Mara I think you could be right that perhaps I overmixed the flour in. As a cake baker, I know that is a cardinal sin with cake batters, but I wasn't sure with a cookie mix. As I have my lovely new KitchenAid hand mixer, I used that to make the cookies, but maybe it was a little fierce for blending the flour. I also might have overcooked them slightly, after reading what you said, so it could be my technique that needs adjusting!

Gwen, I will also bear that in mind with reducing the flour a little.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 12/16/2007 10:51:29 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/16/2007 10:47:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/16/2007 10:40:16 AM
Author: Lorelei

I tell ya, maybe I could sell them to Bond movie producers or something to knock out villains with one blow / bite! You may have a point they could come in handy also in case Sir doesn't behave himself...

I think I may try another batch with the COT though sometime.

By George, you may be ON to something....


Yer gonna be rich!

I could handle that!!

You cuties always crack me up!!! Gotta love you two!!! *huge smile from skippers*

I hope the cookies soften from the bread/apple.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/16/2007 12:35:46 PM
Author: Skippy123

You cuties always crack me up!!! Gotta love you two!!! *huge smile from skippers*

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2007 12:47:48 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/16/2007 12:35:46 PM
Author: Skippy123

You cuties always crack me up!!! Gotta love you two!!! *huge smile from skippers*

 

[monarch64]

So does this mean you''ve come up with a batch that does not pose a threat to the dental health of all who may partake of your cookies? Inquiring minds want to know! (For the record, I thought it might have something to do with the cream of tartar...my mother uses it in her cookie dough and lordy...I could use some dental work myself after trying to bite into her cookies.)

I stay away from the stuff myself, although it is a good remedy for canker sores. Sorry, back to you Lorelei.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/17/2007 4:26:27 AM
Author: monarch64
So does this mean you''ve come up with a batch that does not pose a threat to the dental health of all who may partake of your cookies? Inquiring minds want to know! (For the record, I thought it might have something to do with the cream of tartar...my mother uses it in her cookie dough and lordy...I could use some dental work myself after trying to bite into her cookies.)

I stay away from the stuff myself, although it is a good remedy for canker sores. Sorry, back to you Lorelei.

Hehe...I haven''t made another non dentally challenging batch yet Monnie, but I will be sometime this week * fingers crossed!* You could use the first batch as ice hockey pucks actually...

 

[Ellen]

Lorelei, I googled why sugar cookies get hard. This came up, maybe working the flour too hard and/or too much flour is the main issue? Anyway, lots of good info.

We''ll be expecting a plate of warm, soft, exquisitely decorated morsels sometime this week.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/17/2007 7:26:08 AM
Author: Ellen
Lorelei, I googled why sugar cookies get hard. This came up, maybe working the flour too hard and/or too much flour is the main issue? Anyway, lots of good info.

We'll be expecting a plate of warm, soft, exquisitely decorated morsels sometime this week.

Fanks El ! Hubby wants Tollhouse Cookies for today's effort for some reason

, on top of MrsSalvo's fudge and the sugar brickies I already made!

But that guide is most helpful and I am going to try Martha's SC recipe along with the tips in the guide later this week...Oh me waistline...

I can click and drag now - yippee!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/17/2007 7:37:53 AM
Author: Lorelei

Fanks El ! Hubby wants Tollhouse Cookies for today's effort for some reason

, on top of MrsSalvo's fudge and the sugar brickies I already made!

But that guide is most helpful and I am going to try Martha's SC recipe along with the tips in the guide later this week...Oh me waistline...

I can click and drag now - yippee!!!

And I cracked up at the waistline.

Eh, is Christmas.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/17/2007 7:49:40 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/17/2007 7:37:53 AM
Author: Lorelei

Fanks El ! Hubby wants Tollhouse Cookies for today''s effort for some reason

, on top of MrsSalvo''s fudge and the sugar brickies I already made!

But that guide is most helpful and I am going to try Martha''s SC recipe along with the tips in the guide later this week...Oh me waistline...

I can click and drag now - yippee!!!

And I cracked up at the waistline.

Eh, is Christmas.

Hehehe...I did the waistline especially for you El !

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 12/17/2007 7:53:01 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/17/2007 7:49:40 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/17/2007 7:37:53 AM
Author: Lorelei

Fanks El ! Hubby wants Tollhouse Cookies for today''s effort for some reason

, on top of MrsSalvo''s fudge and the sugar brickies I already made!

But that guide is most helpful and I am going to try Martha''s SC recipe along with the tips in the guide later this week...Oh me waistline...

I can click and drag now - yippee!!!

And I cracked up at the waistline.

Eh, is Christmas.

Hehehe...I did the waistline especially for you El !

Yay, I am glad you can click and drag. heheee

I am having waistline issues w/cookies too, booo hooo!

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

I just made about 100 sugar cookies....

I also have the Kitchen Aide mixer and I made sure to use the dough hook when mixing instead of the usual attachment.

I also find that when I make sugar cookies (SO loves them) that they are incredibly easy to over-cook. Remember, cookies continue to cook once you have removed the from the oven. When I desire softer cookies, I simply remove them a bit before they are completely done. I also put bread into the bag when I am storing them.

I baked my cookies over a week ago and the ones stored properly are still soft and because they are not overly brown on the bottom, I can toss them into the microwave for a quick re-heat without worry of burning. YUM!