Baking with convection yields a rounded, taller cookie with a crisp exterior. Even heat created by the air circulating in convection yields the irresistible combination of crunchy and gooey – and some say it’s the secret to the perfect cookie. But, if you prefer a softer, chewy cookie, use Bake mode without convection.
Should I bake with convection or regular?
Convection Oven Pros & Cons:
Pro! They cook faster: Food cooked in a convection oven is usually done about 25% faster than it is in a conventional oven. Con: Recipes don’t account for convection bake, so check for doneness at about 3/4 of the recommended cook time. Pro!
The simple answer to this question is, meet in the middle. Cookies should (almost) always be baked on the middle rack of the oven. The middle rack offers the most even heat and air circulation which helps cookies bake consistently.
A convection oven is suitable for baking fresh or frozen cookie dough. … If the cookie recipe calls for 12 minutes of baking in a 375-degree oven, then 10 minutes at 350 degrees might be just right in the convection oven.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (300 degrees F convection.) Line baking sheets with parchment paper and place equal two 2 1/2-tablespoon portions on the baking sheets 3 inches apart. Use either a cookie scoop or cut the frozen dough into rounds.
When should you not use a convection oven?
When you shouldn’t use convection
Because the fan blows air around the inside of the oven, moist foods prone to shifting or splattering (like quick breads, custards, and other baked goods) can come out dry and unevenly baked. Sometimes cookies or cakes will show a “sand drift” pattern from the moving air.
What are the disadvantages of a convection oven?
Cons of Convection Ovens:
- Some fans can be louder than a traditional oven.
- They’re more expensive than traditional ovens.
- The fan can sometimes blow around foil or parchment paper, interfering with your food.
- Food is more susceptible to burn if the cooking time is not properly adjusted.
General rule– if you use a convection oven, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F.) Always go with your instincts. Cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly browned. The top centers can look slightly underbaked if you want a softer cookie.
Mistake: When cookies turn out flat, the bad guy is often butter that is too soft or even melted. This makes cookies spread. The other culprit is too little flour—don’t hold back and make sure you master measuring. … If too-little flour was the issue, try adding an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour to the dough.
How to flatten cookie dough with flair. … And there are no baking police: If your recipe tells you to flatten your cookies before baking, you just go ahead and do that however you want. So long as they end up evenly flat, that is; squashing cookies haphazardly under your palm means they may bake and brown unevenly.
Instead of following the recipe you’re currently on, find another one that uses baking soda and your cookies will spread more. Most cookie recipes use baking soda since it’s much better. Keep in mind that baking soda is 3-4x stronger than baking powder, so you can’t just interchange them.
If you absolutely need to bake more than one batch at a time for an event, holiday baking, etc– rotate the baking sheets from the top rack to bottom rack once halfway through the baking process. Ovens have hot spots! When it comes to baking cookies, it pays off to be a perfectionist!
4 Easy Ways to Make Perfectly Round Cookies
- Use paper towel cardboard rolls as a sling. When making icebox or slice-and-bake cookies, you usually roll the cookie dough into a log and chill to firm up before slicing and baking. …
- Use round cookie cutters. …
- Use ice cream or cookie scoops. …
- Roll the dough into smooth balls.
Secrets to Thick, Soft, & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Underbaked cookies are the secret to softness.
- Using cornstarch in the dough is another secret to softness, as well as the secret to thickness.
- Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie.
- Adding an extra egg yolk increases chewiness.