Daily Kitchen Note
Chilling cookie dough before baking hardens the fat and allows the flavors to meld. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and results in a thicker, more flavorful treat.
How to Chill cookie dough
- Prepare your cookie dough according to the recipe instructions.
- Cover the bowl of dough tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out or absorbing refrigerator odors.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 36 hours for deeper flavor.
- Scoop the chilled dough onto baking sheets and bake as directed.
Why it works
When cookie dough is chilled, the fats (like butter) solidify. As the cookies bake, the solid fat takes longer to melt, which prevents the dough from spreading out too quickly and keeps the cookies thick. Additionally, the resting time allows the flour to hydrate and the flavors to develop and intensify.
Source
University of Wyoming Extension: Chocolate Chip Cookie Quest
