How to Soften Hard Cookies (3 Simple Tips) (2024)

FAQs

How do you soften hard cookies quickly? ›

Microwaving them. If you cover your cookies with a wet paper towel and nuke them for a few seconds, they should soften up enough to eat.

You see, the only thing that you need to soften up a batch of day-old cookies is a slice of bread. This is a trick I learned from my mom after she saw me turn up my nose one too many times at a slightly crispy chocolate chipper (self-proclaimed gooey, chewy cookie fiend here!).

It's all about moisture. To keep it simple, cookie recipes that contain a lot of butter, brown sugar or egg yolks are going to yield soft and chewy cookies, because those ingredients add moisture and retain it for a longer amount of time.

Cookie recipes made without brown sugar will be harder, flatter, and crispier. Trick #2: Lower your oven temperature. Baking at a lower temperature allows the cookies to spread before rising so they are even and crispy all around. I've lowered the oven temperature in this recipe to 310 degrees.

Wrap each cookie individually in a plastic wrapper while they're still warm. This keeps steam inside the cookie which then softens them. You can also place all the wrapped cookies in a covered container to really keep the heat in. The longer you keep them there, the softer they'll be!

Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies. That said, using a combination of butter and vegetable shortening (as in the original recipe), or even using all butter, will make an acceptably crunchy chocolate chip cookie.

The most common reason that cookies are tough is that the cookie dough was mixed too much. When flour is mixed into the dough, gluten begins to form. Gluten helps hold baked goods together, but too much gluten can lead to tough cookies.

Step 3: Reheat The Cookies In The Microwave For 15 – 20 Seconds. As the microwave starts to heat up, the cookies will be able to absorb all the moisture evaporating from the damp paper towels. After around 15 – 20 seconds on medium settings, they should already soften up.

Why Do Cookies Get Hard? Like all baked treats, cookies are subject to getting stale. Over time, the moisture in the cookies evaporates, leaving them stiff and crumbly. It's the same thing that happens to breads, muffins, and other baked goods.

The temperature can be a big factor when storing cookies. Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland. In general, store cookies at room temperature or freeze them, as specified above.

Will bread make hard cookies soft? ›

There are three ways you can soften hard cookies: Heat them, wrap them, or toss in a slice of bread in your cookie jar.

If you are able to touch the top of them and they are right between soft and firm (or how you would prefer them), they would be good. if you are able to touch them and they still feel to dough-like, leave them in the oven for another 2 or 3 minutes.

Using a microwave-safe plate, unwrap the desired amount of hard candies and place them on the plate. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, although this time may vary based on the wattage of your microwave. Enjoy eating the softened candy as-is, or cut into bits to be used in a recipe.

Adding a bit more baking powder to your recipe (or adding baking powder at all, about 1/2 a teaspoon) can help give you softer and fluffier cookies.

Here's what you need to do: Snuggle ¼ slice of bread per dozen cookies into the bottom of the container (use plain white bread, since it won't transmit any flavors). Allow to let sit covered for 24 hours, and replace the bread as needed, every time it starts to get stale.

Most cookies are still soft when done (they harden as they cool) and will continue to bake on the cookie sheet once removed from the oven. Remove cookies from the cookie sheet as soon as they are firm enough to transfer, using a spatula, to a cooling rack or paper towels to finish cooling.

Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

Is it possible to refresh them and recapture that fresh cookie taste? Yes, it is. All you need to do is put your cookies on a baking sheet (with or without parchment) and put them in the oven for 3-5 minutes at 350F.

Sugars, like fats, liquefy in the oven. White sugar will make your cookies crispier while brown sugar contains more moisture and will result in a softer and more chewy cookie. Most chocolate chip cookie recipes call for both sugars.

How can I soften my food? ›

Add moisture

Cover the dish (or wrap the food, like that bread roll) with a damp paper towel or hand towel. You can also add a few tablespoons of water to the dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, or place a second dish on top.

The most common reason that cookies are tough is that the cookie dough was mixed too much. When flour is mixed into the dough, gluten begins to form. Gluten helps hold baked goods together, but too much gluten can lead to tough cookies.

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Storage Temperature Matters

Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland. In general, store cookies at room temperature or freeze them, as specified above.