There’s nothing more addictive than the rich, nutty, and buttery smell filling the whole flat while a batch of chocolate chip cookies is baking in the oven. If you’re a fan (and who isn’t?), you’ve likely mastered these three tips for extra chewy chocolate chip cookies, along with every other trick out there for that perfect caramelized crust and soft, gooey middle.
But have you ever dealt with a batch so stubborn that just refuses to cooperate? No matter how precisely you rolled the cookie dough into perfect balls, the moment they went into the oven and got struck by the heat, they immediately lost their beautifully round form and turned into messy, shapeless blobs. Of course, there’s no doubt that flavor is king. But there’s something about the visual appeal that makes food even more satisfying. Thankfully, the internet is full of endless life hacks — including how to fix those misshapen delights. All you need is a bowl, a cup or a glass with a rim slightly wider than the cookies themselves, along with the right timing.
The method couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is place your item of choice over any deformed cookies and give them a nice swirl, while at the same time making sure their edges are pressing against the object’s inner walls. You’ll never consider tossing your weird-looking cookies in the trash again after seeing the result.
It’s crucial to try the hack before the cookies cool down
While this method will restore the cookies to their original round shape, it only works while they are still soft and warm. So, applying it immediately after taking the cookies out of the oven is essential to prevent them from cooling down too much, getting firm, and breaking apart.
The hack may seem effortless, but it doesn’t come without a catch. Your cookies won’t stay warm for too long, so it’s important to pick up the pace and try to finish them all while they’re still soft and pliable. However, don’t stress too much if you don’t manage to cover them all, especially if you’re using a glass that can easily break under pressure. Sometimes, a little imperfection just adds to the charm, and your uneven cookies will still be utterly delicious and worth every bite. Once you’re done, let them rest on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, and then just grab one and treat yourself for all the hard work.
So next time you’re whipping up a batch of chewy coconut chocolate chip cookies or experimenting with bakery-style peanut butter cookies, and you notice they’re flattening out or losing their shape in the oven, don’t hesitate to give this little trick a go. Who knew that a quick swirl could bring them back to their perfectly round shape in just a matter of seconds?
