I don’t know about you but I love a good tip, sometimes it’s the simplest thing that can make all the difference.

You’ll find tips, recipes and information on baking delicious cookies easily and so much more!

Lots of cookie recipes require common requirements…

Let’s Chat:

Butter

Bring butter and eggs to room temperature, what temperature is that exactly?

The butter should be cool to the touch and not so soft that your finger would sink to the counter when gently pressed.

There would be resistance and the butter would be firm enough to just allow your finger to make a 1″ mark.

The butter would cut easily without squishing. If you use a thermometer it should ready about 63-65°.

If you’re kitchen is really warm, pop it back in the fridge until it’s firmed up.

Warm butter in baking when the recipe calls for “room temperature” will have the cookies spread more than what would be expected.

Some recipes may call for melted butter, that means it’s soft and smooth and in a liquid form, but don’t boil it.

Eggs

Make sure you are using Large sized eggs unless otherwise noted. Extra Large or Jumbo eggs will have too much liquid and the cookie batter will be thin and the cookies will spread and not hold their shape.

Eggs should be at room temperature so they will blend into the cookie dough easily and evenly. The protein in the eggs can hold air when mixed and will help create a nice texture in cookies otherwise the cookies may be too dense.

Allow eggs to sit on the counter for 30 minutes, or place them in a glass of lukewarm water for about 10 minutes.

The cookies above and the cookie dough in the first photos are my Italian Cookie Recipe– it’s cut 3/8″ thick and resembles the not overly sweet cookies you’d find in an Italian bakery.

And they are iced with Royal Icing.

Oven

Preheat the oven well, for at least 15 minutes.

To ensure it will be hold enough to hold the temperature you need even after you open the door and put a tray of cookies into the oven and close it.

An additional oven thermometer is a great item to have to make sure the temperature of your oven is accurate.

Gingerbread Cookies

Baking Sheets

Use thick baking sheets for even baking. Test how the batch of cookies you will be making in your oven. Place two portions of cookie dough into the center of a baking sheet and bake them.

Allow them to cool completely, then give them a taste, and adjust the temperature, time, or thickness of the cookie if needed. Don’t overbake cookies, firm, brown cookies will be dry and hard once cooled.

Do not overcrowd your cookies, allow 2 inches between each cookie. Otherwise, there will be too much cool cookie dough and and not enough space for the cookie sheet to warm up evenly around each cookie…

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST problems when baking cookies, they will not bake evenly, the won’t rise, they will spread, cookie should NOT touch when they are baked, if they do. There is not enough room between each cookie.

Don’t overcrowd your oven, only bake 1 baking sheet at a time (unless your oven can evenly bake more than one baking sheet at time- most cannot) Don’t leave cookies unattended in the oven and walk away. Most times by the time you smell cookies, they’re already done.

Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies– the perfect decked out chocolate chip cookies that everyone will LOVE!

I do not transfer my cookies to cooling racks, it’s messy and the risk of breaking the cookies is too great.

I make sure the cookies are baked, firm on the outer edges, and have an extremely light golden color on the bottom for cut out cookies or a warm golden color for drop cookies, as the cookies cool the centers will firm up as they cool completely.

This is why testing 2 cookies ahead of baking a whole tray full is so important, so you’ll know exactly the time to bake and what they will look like, to take them out of the oven and cool them on the baking sheet for the result you want.

Parchment Paper

Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, don’t butter baking sheets, and don’t reuse warm baking sheets.

Bake cookies in the middle of the oven or slightly above (as the heating element is usually below- the closer the baking sheet is to the bottom the more browned the bottoms of the cookies will be)

Bake the same size cookies on each baking sheet, be sure they are the same thickness. So each baking sheet will produce evenly baked cookies.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Baking powder most often allow the cookies to rise, and baking soda allows the cookies to get a nice crunch on the outside. But that will also depend on the cookie recipe itself (there are always exceptions)

Red Velvet Cut Out Cookies

These tips for baking cookies will help you make beautiful cookies.

Be sure to check out my other posts on baking cookies. You’ll find tips, recipes, and so much more.

• Cookie Baking Must See Posts
• How to Bake the Perfect Cut-Out Cookies
• Cookie Tips
• Christmas Cookie Recipes
• Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe– no spread cookies!
• Italian Cut Out Cookies– less sweet than traditional sugar cookies
• Spritz Cookies

You can search my RECIPE INDEX here

Christmas Recipes are located here

Find more cookie recipes here

• Snowball Cookies
• Sugar Cookies with Glaze Icing
• Gingerbread Boy holding a candy cane

Peppermint Brownie Cookies

Royal Icing

Glaze Icing without a piping bag…

and glaze icing with a piping bag

Watch my VIDEO to see more Christmas cookies HERE.

WANT TO MAKE TREATS… but don’t want to bake try these 3 no bake items and HERE is one more.

I’m happy to help with any cookie questions you might have. Leave me a message in the comment section and I’ll message you back!

Sign up for my emails and reply to any email I send and it’ll land in my inbox! You won’t miss any recipes I post, I’m sure you’ll find some new recipes to LOVE!

The post Cookie Baking Tips first appeared on Created by Diane.

I know fall begins in September, and the weather starts cooling off, but where I live it really starts to cool down once November hits. But no matter when it cools off, Fall baking is all about comforting flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, maple, nutmeg, and let’s not forget the nuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and of course the very popular peanut butter.

• Chai Cookies-with the flavors of cardamon, all spice, cinnamon, and clove, these cookies are a real winner!
• Frosted pumpkin-shaped cookies -add in some pumpkin spice or maple extract for more fall flavor 
• Crispy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies-these are so delicious!

• Honey Graham Cookies-I just love them half dipped in chocolate!
• icing cookies– colorful fall leaf cookies, along with lots of tips tricks, and recipes.
• Pecan Pie Cookies-these are perfect, not overly sweet like pecan pie can be, and these have a  great cookie bottom.

• Pumpkin Spice Cookies, super cute 3D pumpkin shaped cookies
• Glazed Cinnamon Cookies- cinnamon sugar at it’s best!
• Marbled Chocolate and pumpkin spice-a delicious flavor combination!

These Apple Pie Cookies are outstanding!

• Chocolate Pumpkin Cut Out Cookies
• Chocolate Peppermint Cut Out Cookies
• Pumpkin spice Cut Out Cookies
• Maple Walnut Cut Out Cookies 
• Oatmeal Cut Out Cookies
• Cinnamon Raisin Cut Out Cookies

• Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies include drop cookies and easy options with great flavors.

• easy peanut butter cookies, and cute sandwich cookies
• Oatmeal Maple Bacon Cookies
• Maple Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
• Banana Maple Oatmeal Cookies
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Espresso Chocolate Chunk Cookies
• S’more Cookies
• Snickerdoodle Cookies

If you’re looking for more ideas for cut-out cookies be sure to check out my Sugar Cookie Post.

Moving into the holidays…

Check out these fun cookies:

• Red Velvet
• Gingerbread Spice
• Fruitcake Cut Out Cookies
• Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
• Butterscotch Stained Glass Cookies
• Coal Cookies

more Christmas Cookie Recipes

tips and recipes for icing cookies

drop cookie recipes you’ll love!

The post fall cookie recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies and I decided to bake all that great flavor into this simple cake, full of brown sugar and chocolate chips just like the all-time favorite cookie! And it’s topped with a delicious frosting that adds a sophisticated touch.

While coming up with this recipe to share I was curious as to when the chocolate chip cookie came about. So I did some research and found that it dates back to 1937. However, it was based on an old colonial recipe called Butter Drop Do cookies. It called for bakers chocolate which Ruth Wakefield didn’t have. Instead, she used a Nestle chocolate bar and chopped it up, adding it to the dough. She thought it would melt completely and blend into the dough, however, that’s not what happened. Instead, the chocolate bits stayed whole and made gooey pockets of delicious cocoa goodness. And that’s how Chocolate Chip Cookies came to be! 

Continue reading: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe

The post Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe first appeared on Created by Diane.

Looking for the perfect cut-out cookie?

Look no further!

These Mini Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies are perfection on a plate.

Baking is therapy for me and there’s nothing I like more than a delicious sugar cookie cut out recipe – except when there are chocolate chips involved.

Crispy, golden bottoms, and chewy centers with melted chocolate goodness – this cookie is my go-to.

What makes this cookie so amazing is the no spread cookie dough that holds its shape while it bakes. It can be a real let down when you spend so much time cutting out shapes and designs, only to end up with a blob once the cookies are pulled from the oven. With my recipe, that won’t happen.

There’s also no need to chill the dough, taking a step out and delivering you delicious cookies sooner. And I have loads of tips for cut cookies.

Continue reading: Mini Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies

The post Mini Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies first appeared on Created by Diane.

If you know one thing about me, it’s that I LOVE, Love, love chocolate chip cookies!

it’s just about the only thing I CRAVE all the time.

Really, even if I’m eating low carb it’s the only sweet item I really miss.

But since I’m not a totally strict low carb eater… I get to eat these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites and don’t give it a second thought

Some things are just worth, don’t you agree!

There are two things I look for in a chocolate chip cookie, I want them crunchy and chewy. And these cookies are just the perfect combination. 

Continue reading: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites (skillet)

The post Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites (skillet) first appeared on Created by Diane.

Yea…

I’m the one with the spoon in the bowl,

no matter if it’s cookie dough or cake batter, I want a taste!

This cookie dough is just that, the same great taste of chocolate chip cookie dough,

but no worries if you’ll get ta tummy ache. We’ve all heard we shouldn’t eat raw eggs, or raw flour, and will put all your worries aside.

You can enjoy it off a spoon or like me, portion it out to enjoy again and again.

Put some in the freezer, keep some in the fridge, put some in jars, and share it with a friend.

This delicious no-bake chocolate chip cookie dough is a sweet tooth’s lifesaver when you don’t want to turn the oven on, are tired, want a sweet snack, or have a cookie craving that needs satisfying!

Continue reading: How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, eat it right off the spoon!

The post How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, eat it right off the spoon! first appeared on Created by Diane.

Can we just all agree that making your very own Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is one of the best tastes, ever. 

That is… next to the chocolate cookies of course! 

Chocolate lovers UNITE!

These cookies do not only start with basic ingredients they look so pretty, don’t you agree?

There’s just something so simple and delicious about making homemade frosting that it’s safe to say that you’ll never have a reason to go back to store-bought frosting ever again. I didn’t grow up eating store-bought frosting, I had it certainly but my mom made frosting and I like it, but I don’t recall chocolate buttercream frosting much at home. I am a chocolate lover and love how delicious this chocolate frosting is, and I think you will too!

Besides, can one ever really have too much chocolate in their life? I think not. This is why I don’t think twice about whipping up a batch of this delicious chocolate buttercream frosting. I know without a doubt that it’s going to be a delicious taste and flavor and honestly, it would even make a shoe taste good! 

Before you make these chocolate frosting cookies, it might be a good idea to brush up on how to bake perfect cookies so that you can be prepared if you’re making your cookies homemade as well. 

Continue reading: Chocolate Frosted Cookies

The post Chocolate Frosted Cookies first appeared on Created by Diane.

Rose cookies that are easy and delicious and perfect anytime.

I like the older cookie presses that you turn, although I hear the newer types are really great.

I have two Mirro cookies presses,

I have had one for many years, and I also picked one up at a thrift/antique store. If you’re looking for the older type, you’re sure to find one.

There were so many made by the Mirro company. They are no longer in business, but lots of companies are making newer models now.

One thing is for sure no matter what press you use, these cookies are easy, delicious, and pretty!

I love butter cookies, they are tender and delicious. I glazed these cookies with a thin powdered sugar mixture with a little food coloring and flavor.

Just imagine batches of these roses lining your countertops, cookie trays and everyone just loving all these ROSES!

Continue reading: Rose Spritz Cookies

The post Rose Spritz Cookies first appeared on Created by Diane.

You will up your cookie game in no time with the information and tips. 

I just LOVE cookies and there are so many types of cookies to make for all sorts of occasions.

Remember the best advice on baking cookies is to remember to read the recipe first before you even begin.

Line up all the items you’ll need so you’re organized and don’t forget anything, there is nothing worse than forgetting an item and not have the recipes turn out as planned.

Continue reading: Cookie Baking MUST SEE POSTS

The post Cookie Baking MUST SEE POSTS first appeared on Created by Diane.

It’s no secret I just LOVE cookies!

You will too when you see these cookie cakes and cookie pies, they are just perfect for everyday celebrating and fancy occasions.

And cookies TRAVEL so much easier than cake…

they stay fresh for days too,

so you can bake ahead of time without worry!

And as you scroll down you’ll see my posts on cookie baking tips too.

Continue reading: Cookie Cakes and Pies

The post Cookie Cakes and Pies first appeared on Created by Diane.