How are cookies made?

Cookies, as a widely popular snack, not only come in various types and flavors but also have a production process full of fun and creativity. From the preparation of basic ingredients to the final baking, every step contains the baker's effort and skills. Now, let's explore how cookies transform from simple raw materials into delicious snacks.

1. Ingredient Preparation: The Foundation of Cookies

The main ingredients for making cookies include flour, sugar, fats, eggs, leavening agents (such as baking soda or baking powder), and various flavorings. Flour is the primary component of cookies, providing structural support; sugar not only adds sweetness but also helps create a golden and tempting color on the surface during baking; fats make the cookies crispier; the addition of eggs makes the cookies softer and enriches the texture; leavening agents are key to making cookies fluffy, as they release carbon dioxide during baking, causing the cookies to expand; flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and chopped nuts give cookies their unique taste and texture.

When selecting ingredients, quality is crucial. High-quality flour, fresh eggs, and pure fats are the foundation for making delicious cookies. Additionally, according to personal taste and preference, a suitable amount of salt, spices, or other seasonings can be added to enhance the flavor of the cookies.

2. Mixing and Stirring: Creating Cookie Texture

Mixing the prepared ingredients in certain proportions is one of the key steps in making cookies. First, sift the flour and leavening agent to ensure there are no lumps and to make it finer. Then, in a large bowl, mix the softened fats and sugar until a smooth paste forms. Next, add the eggs one by one and stir thoroughly to ensure that the egg mixture is fully combined with the fat-sugar mixture. Finally, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while stirring until a uniform dough forms.

During the stirring process, it is important to control the strength and time to avoid over-mixing the dough, which can lead to hard cookies. At the same time, you can adjust the moisture of the dough as needed; if it is too dry, you can add a suitable amount of milk or egg liquid; if it is too wet, you can add a small amount of flour for adjustment.

3. Shaping and Decorating: Giving Cookies Personality

Shaping is a highly creative step in cookie making. Place the mixed dough on a work surface and roll it out into an even thickness sheet using a rolling pin. Then use molds or knives to cut the dough into various shapes such as circles, squares, hearts, etc. If you don't have molds, you can also shape the dough into small balls by hand and then gently flatten them into cookie shapes.

After shaping, you can also decorate the cookies to enhance their appearance and appeal. Common decoration methods include brushing a layer of egg wash on the surface of the cookies for extra shine after baking; sprinkling powdered sugar, chopped nuts or chocolate chips for added texture; or using molds to imprint patterns or text on the cookie surface for added fun.

4. Baking and Cooling: Witnessing a Miracle Moment

Place the shaped and decorated cookies into a preheated oven and set an appropriate temperature and time according to the recipe for baking. During baking, closely monitor the condition of the cookies to avoid over-baking which can lead to bitterness or overly dark colors. When the surface of the cookies turns golden brown,