If you’re someone who always puts their cookies in the oven straight from room temperature, we have some bad news: It is 1000% worth it to let your dough chill in the fridge before baking. A cookie chilled for 24 hours is just far better in terms of flavor, texture, and overall appearance. How does time spent in the fridge magically transform your cookies, and do you really need to let them chill for 24 hours? I spoke to Senior Food Editor Makinze Gore to get the scoop (cookie scoop, that is) on why this step is worthwhile.
Why Is It Important To Chill Your Cookie Dough?
When you bake your cookies immediately after forming them, your ingredients are all still at different temperatures. If your butter is cold but your eggs are warm, for example, your dough will not cook evenly. It will rise in some spots and spread in others, and we all know what that looks like: an uneven cookie. Plus, baking right away doesn’t give the flavor time to develop, creating a fine-but-not-great cookie.
What Happens When You Chill Your Cookie Dough?
Chilling your cookie dough will bring all of your ingredients to the same temperature, and this is key for achieving a much more uniform cookie. Chilled dough holds its shape for longer than room temperature, so your cookies will be taller with a soft center. I love a thin and crispy cookie now and again, but not when it’s the result of uneven baking. Chilling will also improve the flavor of your cookies (win, win!).
While chilling will enhance any cookie, my favorite example of the powers of chilling has to be our best-ever chocolate chip cookie. When developing the recipe, Gore tested the cookies again and again (seriously, over 73 hours and 17 taste tests) until she achieved perfection. During the process, she discovered that chilling the dough truly was the difference between a pretty good chocolate chip cookie and the chocolate chip cookie.
How Long Should I Let Cookie Dough Chill?
I know what you’re thinking: I don’t have 24 hours to let my cookies chill! I hear you. While 24 hours in the fridge really will give you the ultimate cookie texture and flavor, even an hour spent chilling is better than no time at all. We’ll let you in on a secret: The real sweet spot is around 4 hours. By that time, the ingredients will have reached the same temperature, and the sugar will have released moisture. This will give you softer and sweeter cookies with a more even appearance and better flavor.
I know chilling is an extra step, but you’re already spending the time to make cookies! You might as well give them the pampering they deserve, so you can bite into the best possible one. Happy baking!
