Here is a quick post to help you with your cookie baking…
- Cookies like cakes are dependent on precise measurements. Make sure to measure your ingredients precisely to achieve best results. (This is important for all things baked, as ratios of dry to liquid ingredients is what creates the desired results)
- Cookies are not Bread. We knead the cookies slightly and briefly just to incorporate ingredients. Over working cookies results in spreading in the oven, which is not desirable and especially for cutouts, this will ruin the shape.
- When making cutouts, we will have to roll and cut quite a few times. If that is done on a floured surface, we are actually incorporating more and more flour into the dough each time, which eventually results in over dry and poorly textured cookies. The best way to roll cookies for cutouts is between two sheets of wax or parchment paper. This way you will prevent your dough from drying out, and also from sticking to the surface.
- A rolling pin sock (100% cotton sock) is marvellous! It is stick proof. prevents the pin from sticking to the dough, and gives the dough a nice finish. Then you will have to roll on 1 parchment paper instead of between the 2. This sock is washable and reusable.
- Check the internal heat of your oven. You will be surprised how many ovens out there reach a much higher or lower internal heat than is registered on the knob! It is best to get a heat proof oven thermometer to regularly check the heat of your oven and make sure it is right for baking. Very high heat results in over browning before the cookie is actually done, low heat can result in dry cookies that are pale and lack the snap. They will also take longer baking time.
- Baking cookie cutouts straight from freezing achieves better results as they do not spread while baking, keeping the shape intact. You can make cookie dough, cut shapes and place them over parchment paper (use parchment paper to separate the layers) in a freezer safe container that is airtight, and freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, preheat oven, place the cutouts on lined baking sheets and bake til golden on the bottom and sides.
- Baked cookies can last in perfect condition for up to 1 month if kept in an airtight container or in a plastic bag, tied securely with a ribbon.
- Always keep the cookies on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool. When straight out of the oven, the cookies are soft and fragile, they might break during transfer.
- Never decorate cookies that are hot or warm. The heat will melt the icing sugar. The cookies have to be completely cooled before icing.
- A quick way to flavour even the simplest types of dough is to add spices, chocolate chips, lemon, lime or orange zest… or you can sandwich jam/chocolate between two cookies or dust with cocoa powder, cinnamon powder, or icing sugar.
Here are some Cookie Inspirations…
Eid Al-Adha:
 |
| The Concept |
 |
| The Cookies & Cookie Lollies |
 |
| The Packaged Cookies |
 |
| Eid Chocolates & Cookies Stand |
 |
| The Arrangements |
 |
| Eid Cookie & Chocolate Arrangements, packed and ready to go |
Weddings & Engagements:
 |
| Bridal Dress – in Wedding Colour Codes |
 |
| Wedding Cookies – Bridal Dress & Kandoora |
 |
| Bachelor Party Cookies – Smokin Groom’s Blazer |
Babay Showers:
Kids Birthdays:
Vintage Themes:
 |
| Creating The Concept |
 |
| Vintage Watch |
 |
| Emirati Traditional Bridal Mask – Vintage Cookies for Milka (engagement) |
 |
| Traditional & English Gold Coins – Vintage Cookies for Milka (engagement) |
Let’s chat – these are my top 10 cookie baking tips, what are the tricks that work for you? Share the secrets with us and let’s all bake perfect cookies, after all food is for sharing! 😉
Thanks for the tips Dima, never heard of a rolling pin sock but I'm glad I've learned about it now! 🙂
You are welcome Arva, Yes the sock is a non stick life saver lol
Thanks for the comment 😉
Great tips. I also had never heard of a rolling pin sock …off to buy one! Love seeing the sketches and planning prior to making the cookies. What did you use for the gold finish on the coins?
Rolling Pin Sock is brilliant, you never want to dry your dough with added flour, and this sock is the best nonstick solution (has to be 100% real cotton)
Cookie making takes me back in time, allows me to be a child again, the outlining, the colouring and all that… I love it 🙂
The gold finish is gold super luster dust brushed over the fondant 😉
Thank you my dear Dima.
Ginger biscuits were great even without icing. I used wax paper. can you please tell me where can i get the rolling pin sock form. I live in Dubai.
Thanks again
Rana, I am so glad that you have actually made the cookies :)) and that you also liked them 🙂
Honestly I bought mine ages ago from Bahrain, am not sure where you can find them here, if i find any, will let you know. I would suggest you try lakeland, they usually have the baking stuff that are missing in the rest of Dubai!
You can also try online shopping, will take a while to get here but it will eventually 🙂
Thank you for the comment
Thank you for the tips and that rolling pin sock sounds like must have item for cookier makers. I will check Lakeland and Tavola.
How did you cut those Eid Al Adha sheep shape cookies?
You are welcome Minnah 🙂 and thank you for the comment.
I have drawn a template for a lamb shape on cardboard and cut it. I used that template over the dough and cut around it with a super sharp knife 🙂 When it comes to making original designs you can't always rely on cutters. Templates allow you freedom as you are not limited only to available cutters…
Thank you Dima, I will look for shapes in internet and make my own template as well. I have been thinking how to use gingerbread cookies as my own tradition on Eid and Ramadan. I am planning to make gingerbread mosque in some point, started to check already easy way to add minarate. Thank You I enjoyd to read your blog.
Regards Minna
I have been making Ramadan and Eid cookies and have been making my templates as well, as some themes are hard to find, especially when you want to be creative.
This is a brilliant idea, and yes it is very nice to make traditions that you and your family can enjoy together, gives a whole new meaning to occasions and different seasons. It is nice to celebrate and prepare for celebrations ahead of time. It is how we grew up, our mothers and their friends gathered together and made maamool and all other stuff, and once all that started you just get in the mood and know you are in for a treat :))
I have some wicked Ramadan and Eid Cookie recipes, will be posting them closer to the date, so make sure to drop by and check them out too 😉