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Baking with Glass Baking Dishes

We suggest lowering your oven temperature by 25ºF when using a glass baking dish. This is because glass heats more quickly and retains its heat longer.

Cookie Tips

Baking Sheet Tips
Choosing Cookie Sheets
For baking cookies, non-stick baking sheets with not too dark a finish are generally a good choice. If you use non-stick baking sheets, watch carefully or your cookies may brown quickly. Shiny aluminum sheets will tend to produce soft-bottomed crusts with more even browning. Dark carbon-steel sheets will absorb heat and create crisp crusts.

Prevent Burning

To prevent your cookies from burning, choose thick baking sheets.

Greasing Cookie Sheets

Only grease your cookie sheets if the recipe clearly calls for you to do so. Cool and wipe sheets clean with a paper towel between batches if necessary.

Cool Baking Sheets

Remember to cool your baking sheet completely before baking each batch of cookies.
 
Cookie-Baking Tips
Evenly Baked Cookies
Follow these tips and you're sure to have evenly-baked cookies. Re-set your oven rack so it's in the middle of your oven. Always preheat your oven. And be sure the oven temperature is accurate and set correctly––try using an oven thermometer.

Preparing Batches of Cookies

When baking in batches, bake one sheet of cookies while you prepare the next. It's that simple!

Making Do With One Cookie Sheet

If you only have one cookie sheet, line it with foil before baking the cookies. After baking, slide the foil off the pan and set the cookies to cool on a rack. Rinse your pan under cold running water and pat dry. Re-foil and lay your next batch of cookies on the sheet.

Checking Cookie Doneness

Even a minute of baking time can make a great difference to your cookies. Always check for doneness a minute or two before the stated bake time––and check often.

Thoroughly Cooling Cookies

Allow your cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Try not to let the cookies overlap on the rack.
 
Pre-Baking Checklist
No-Shrink Meringues
To prevent shrinking, spread meringue to the edges of your pan.

Prevent Doughy Cookies

You should try chilling your dough until it's firm and cool to the touch, then work with it in small batches. Try baking a test cookie before the entire batch to ensure the consistency you're looking for.

Soft & Chewy Cookies

If you over bake, your cookies will dry out. Try baking your next batch for one or two minutes less. Use an oven thermometer to check your oven temperature. Or, maybe you over-mixed the dough? Remember to mix until just combined.
 
General Cookie Tips
Soften Butter At Room Temperature
Butter is the best fat for flavor and appearance. Soften at room temperature before you need to use it.

Crisp & Crunchy Rolled Cookies

The secret to making crisp cookies is to roll your dough out thinly.

Shaping Cookies

If your cookies cool and harden before you get a chance to shape them, put the baking sheet back in the oven for a few minutes and they'll soften up.

Lump-Free Cookie Mix

To easily blend cookie ingredients, stir dry mix with a fork to break up any lumps before you add your remaining ingredients.

Cutting Corners––Bar Cookies

Serving bar cookies is easiest if you first remove a corner piece.

Frosting Cookies

You can frost cookies with your favorite flavor of Duncan Hines® ready-to-serve frosting for a special treat.
 
Freezing & Storing Tips
Storing Cookies
You can store cookies in an airtight container for a maximum of three to four months. Store your crisp cookies in a container separate from your soft cookies because they need different environments to stay fresh. You should store your crisp cookies between sheets of waxed paper in a loosely covered container. Whereas, soft cookies should be stored in an airtight container so they stay moist and chewy.

Freezable Cookies

You can freeze almost any cookie except meringues, glazed or iced cookies. However, you may ice your cookies after they thaw.

To Package Cookies For Freezing

Follow these tips for packaging your cookies for the freezer. Line an airtight container with plastic wrap, then layer cookies in the container between sheets of waxed paper. Place another sheet of waxed paper on top so cookies will avoid contact with ice crystals. Then seal the container with a tight-fitting lid.

Freezing Baked Cookies

You can freeze most cookies for up to three or four months, if baked.

Freezing Unbaked Cookie Dough

You can freeze most unbaked cookie dough for up to one month. You may be wise to label and date your package, and include baking instructions.

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