How to Test the Doneness of Any Type of Cookie

Many cookie recipes will detail what the cookies will look like after baking. So, even if you’re an experienced baker, it’s important to read your recipes before you start. Sure, you’re probably the type of person who wants to taste raw cookie dough, but it’s good to know that the cookie recipe you’ve spent so much time making bakes to perfection. To ensure that your cookies are not undercooked or overbaked, be sure to check the cookies for the shortest baking time. While there are no tests that apply to every type of cookie, here are some common ways to tell if the cookie you’re making is finished baking.

How to Tell When a Sugar Cookie Is Done

Recipes for sugar cookie cuts usually call for baking until the edges are firm or solidified. If this is the case with your recipe, your sugar cookies should be curdled (not brown) and no longer appear soft and melty.

Light Brown Bottom Test

Some sugar cookie and light cookie recipes, such as Christmas Sandy and Fingerprint Cookies, call for a light brown bottom as a doneness test. Since the color of the bottom of the cookie is not obvious at first glance, you will need to use a spatula to gently lift the edge of one of the cookies off the cookie sheet and look at the bottom.

How to Tell When Oatmeal Cookies Are Done

Many drip cookie recipes, including oatmeal crackers, specify that they are baked until the edges are golden brown or light brown; often, the recipe also specifies that the center should look fixed (rather than shaking and raw). In these cases, you can usually tell by simply looking at the cookies. Don’t let the edges turn dark brown or the cookies will overbake.

How to Tell When Peanut Butter Cookies Are Done

Like other drop cookies, peanut butter cookies and peanut butter flowers are usually cooked until they are light brown at the edges. Since the peanut butter itself can give the cookies a light brown color, you may need to turn on the oven lights or even take them out of the oven briefly for a quick closer look to check the edges.

How to Tell When Gingerbread and Other Dark Cookies Are Done

When your cookie ingredients are particularly dark in color (as is the case with molasses and gingerbread cookies), it can be difficult to tell when the edges or bottom are true golden or dark brown. This is where a touch test can help: gently push them with a spatula or gently press the edges to make sure the edges are secure. A hint of brown may appear on the edges.

How to tell when a chocolate chip cookie is done

It’s done when the chocolate chip cookie has a hard golden rim or bottom and the top is slightly solidified. If the edges turn dark brown, it is overbaked. If the edges are not golden brown and the top is soft and shiny, bake a little longer.

How to Tell When a Brownie Is Done

Cake brownies, including buttermilk brownies (aka Texas crepes), are finished when they harden and begin to detach from the edges of the pan. These recipes may suggest inserting a toothpick into the center of the brownie. When the toothpick is pulled out, it’s clean and the brownie is done!Fudge brownies don’t have a specific doneness test because there’s no easy way to check if they’re done. In most cases, these recipes only provide one baking time and should be removed from the oven once the timer is turned off.

How to Tell When Breadcrumb Strips Are Done

When the toppings turn light brown, the bar cookie with breadcrumbs or powdered sugar cream fine-grained toppings is complete. When the sugar is caramelized, even ingredients made with brown sugar will take on a golden color. Sometimes, the bottom crust is partially baked before fillings and toppings are added. Be sure to remove the crust from the oven as instructed, or the crust will burn when the bar is returned to the oven for final baking.

How to Know When a Cookie Is Completed in Exceptional Cases

While many cookies have similar characteristics and doneness indications, others require completely different visual cues to judge doneness. There are two special cases here:

Fudge Ecstasies: Fudge Ecstasies are chocolate chip cookies that contain a small amount of flour, so the typical doneness indicator doesn’t work. These cookies are finished when the edges are solidified and the top color darkens and cracks appear. Be sure to refer to the recipe to learn how to test the cookies.

Shortbread: While shortbread is usually made when the bottom is brown, it may crack if you try to lift a round or wedge-shaped shortbread to check the bottom. These cookies are soft in nature and crumbly when warm. A good sign of doneness for these cookies and other butter cookies is that the center will become solidified and firm.

Troubleshooting Tips for Baking Cookies

If you find that your cookies are always undercooked or overcooked (even if you strictly follow the recipe time), there are ways to guarantee a better baking next time.

• Use an oven thermometer: An oven thermometer will help ensure that your oven temperature is accurate.
• Use the best cookie sheets: Cookie sheets should be light to medium in color and have only one raised side (up to two!) to allow air circulation.
• Measure the dough accurately: Make sure to make the amount of dough per cookie according to the instructions in the recipe. If you use more (or less) dough per cookie, it’s easy to underbake or overbake it. Try using a cookie spoon to ensure the cookies are perfectly dispensed.
• Space for proper placement of cookies: Carefully place cookies on top of cookie sheets as specified in the recipe. The spacing is carefully designed to allow for an even distribution of airflow around the biscuits.
• Bake one at a time: Bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven, one at a time.
• Allow the cookies to cool on the pan: If the recipe stipulates it, be sure to let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet after baking. This helps them solidify further before moving them to the metal frame.