Last Updated on September 24, 2022
How to make cookie dough thicker? Thin cookie dough is a recipe for disaster. In essence, flat cookies are not great to look at and are unsuitable to munch on; thin cookie dough makes flatter and less flavorful cookies. So, if you want to grasp how to make your cookie dough thicker, here are quick and easy ways.
How To Make Cookie Dough Thicker?
Add flour
The perfect way to add substance to your thin cookie dough is to add flour. In most cases, the flour will help decrease the amount of moisture in your dough, creating the perfect texture in your batter.
However, do not add too much flour; refrain from adding a full cup of flour to your thin dough. In that regard, start with a tablespoon of flour and observe how your dough reacts. When adding flour, add a pinch of sugar to make the flavor fantastic.
Balance your ingredients
If you have extra moisture in your dough, you can compensate by balancing other ingredients. For instance, if you have accidentally doubled the liquid in your recipe, you can also double other ingredients.
It is okay to start over
Sometimes when there is no other option, you can start over. It may be a waste of ingredients; however, if you can not get the right consistency, you can try again and pay extra attention to the number of ingredients required in the recipe. If that does not work out and you still have the same problem, you can look for another recipe.
Making Cookie Dough Thicker Without Flour
For the most part, the runny or thin dough is caused by adding too much liquid to your cookie dough batter. So, making cookies is like science, and having the right ingredients and the amount is paramount. Also, using an ingredient that counteracts the liquid added will result in thicker cookie dough.
But the question is, how do you make cookie dough thicker without flour? Here are a few methods for thickening your cookie dough before baking.
Balancing your ingredients
If you added too much milk, eggs, or any ingredient that adds moisture, you could add a dry ingredient proportionate to your liquid to account for the excess liquid.
Chill your dough
If your butter becomes too soft during mixing or combining your ingredients, it can result in thin cookie dough. Because of that, it is advisable to use room-temped butter; however, the stand mixer creates friction that causes your cookie dough to warm up slightly. If this occurs, place your cookie dough inside the refrigerator; let it chill for about an hour before scooping it into your parchment paper.
Using cornstarch to thicken cookie dough
Cornstarch is an ingredient extracted from corn that does not have a strong or distinct flavor.
Usually, you use cornstarch for thickening sauces and baking. However, cornstarch is not a thickening agent in cookies but plays an important role.
In that regard, when a recipe calls for cornstarch, it is there to help with the structure. It helps bind the cookies together and gives your baked goods the right consistency.
In addition, bakers combine cornstarch with certain kinds of flour to help make the dessert light and chewy. So if you want to make chewy cookies, cornstarch is an excellent ingredient to be added.
Besides, some cookies tend to be chewy, and cornstarch is likely one of its ingredients. Cornstarch is also added to cookies to have that satisfying soft consistency. But the question is can you use cornstarch to thicken cookie dough? The answer is yes; you can substitute cornstarch for flour to thicken your cookie dough. You will need to use a 1:2 ratio; use half as much cornstarch with every amount of flour you add.
Cookie Dough’s Thickness
Remember, a cookie makes everything perfect, especially on holidays like Christmas, when the whole house has that mouthwatering smell of freshly baked cookies. However, an ideal cookie starts when making your dough. So the biggest question is how thick should cookie dough be?
Also, cookie dough should look thin and crisp. It is preferable to work with small batches of dough at a time. With that, chilling your dough when it is too soft is good to be manageable. Likewise, when making rolled cookies, ensure to chill your cookie dough for about fifteen to thirty minutes before rolling.
Moreover, typical cookies are not supposed to be too sticky, but sometimes, they can be a bit sticky due to the environment.
Furthermore, cookie dough for cookie cutters should be about 3/8-inch thick minimum. In addition to that, the thickness will stabilize your cookies when cutting and lifting them off, resulting in softer caked cookies.
Plus, to measure the thickness of your cookie dough is to measure it using a ruler or to use your finger. Then, measure an inch from your first to the second knuckle on your middle finger; remember, 1/4-inch in the thickness of your pinky.
You also have to consider that the ideal thickness for rolled sugar cookie dough is about 1/4-inch, stable enough to be handled and decorated, and thin enough to be a little crunchy.
Cookie Dough’s Stickiness
How sticky should cookie dough be? Once you have perfected your cookie recipe and have discovered the perfect method to make any cookies, you have reached the peak in baking.
However, it can be challenging to get to this point of perfection. Generally, sticky dough is not a horrible thing. Some cookie doughs are a bit sticky, especially if you make a recipe that needs the dough to be scooped out and not rolled.
Besides, certain cookie doughs, such as; chocolate chip cookie dough, is meant to be sticky. But if you are making cut-out cookies or cookies that you need to roll out, your cookie dough is not supposed to be sticky, or it will be messy when handled.
So, if your cookie dough is too sticky, there are different techniques you could use. For that reason, you can always add more flour to make your cookie dough less sticky.
Plus, you may add a tablespoon at a time until you can achieve the desired consistency. You must consider that the best kind of flour to add is all-purpose flour.
You can also add cornstarch, add a teaspoon at a time. Likewise, try chilling or refrigerating your dough. Remember, this technique will make the butter in your dough cold, making your dough no longer stick in your hands.
Read more about How Long Can Cookie Dough Last In The Fridge
FAQs
How Do You Make Cookie Dough Thicker Without Flour?
For the most part, try balancing the ingredients. So with that, you can double the other ingredients, especially if you have accidentally doubled the liquid in the recipe. Nevertheless, you can always start over as a final option.
Can You Use Cornstarch To Thicken Cookie Dough?
Please note that you definitely can. So with that, you may substitute the cornstarch for flour to thicken the cookie dough. In addition to that, you will need about a 1:2 ratio; considering that, you can utilize half as much cornstarch with every amount of flour you need to add.
How Thick Should Cookie Dough Be?
In essence, a cookie dough must be around 3/8-inch thick. Because of that, the thickness will stabilize the cookies, especially when slicing and lifting them off; as a result, you will have softer caked cookies.
How Sticky Should Cookie Dough Be?
Before anything else, it is best to keep in mind that there is a particular cookie dough-like chocolate chip cookie dough that is supposed to be sticky. On the other hand, if you are making cut-out cookies that you must roll out, they should not be sticky.
Zarah is an experienced pastry chef whose creations have delighted countless customers. With a passion for baking, Zarah has developed a unique style that combines classic techniques with modern flavors. Her desserts are consistently crafted with the finest ingredients, and her attention to detail is evident in the stunning and delectable results. Zarah has a wealth of experience in the pastry kitchen, and loves to share her knowledge with others. Whether it is teaching a class or creating a custom cake for a special occasion, Zarah is committed to making sure every customer is satisfied.