It’s time to address the infamous debate: crispy cookies or soft cookies - which is better?
Obviously, the winner comes down to personal taste. But which style of cookie actually came first: the soft fluffy variety, or the crispy crunchy kind? That’s exactly what we explore below. We also discuss some of the subtle differences in how each style of cookie is made.
For those of you looking for a healthy, guilt-free cookie, we’ll wrap up by talking about how to find store-bought crispy and soft cookies with high quality ingredients.
Which Came First: Crispy Cookies or Soft Cookies?
So, does history favor the soft, or the crispy? As far as we can tell, we have to award this round of the debate to crispy cookies.
Historically, the very first cookies were actually more like biscuits or crackers. These treats eventually evolved into crispy style cookies such as the biscotti - one of the earliest and most popular cookies.
Back in the day, crisp cookies like biscotti were preferred largely because of their long shelf life. These crispy cookies were so thoroughly baked that it made them resistant to mold, and able to keep for months at a time. This made crispy cookies a favorite of sailors (even Christopher Columbus) because they could endure long sea voyages without going bad.
How to Make Crispy Cookies
If you’re looking to make a flatter, crisper cookie, the key is to use ingredients that allow the cookies to spread out while they’re baking. You’ll want to use a fat with a low melting temperature, such as butter or coconut oil, as these allow the cookies to spread much more during baking than solid fats (like shortening, for example).
Another tip is to simply bake the cookies slightly longer than you would a soft cookie. For crispy cookies, it’s best to bake them until the edges start to brown (but not burn) and the cookie is baked all the way through.
How to Make Soft-Baked Cookies
Soft-baked cookies are often made using a solid fat with a higher melting point, which prevents the cookie from spreading while baking. The result is a thicker, softer, chewier cookie.
Another simple trick for softer cookies is to use chilled dough. Chilling the cookie dough before baking is another way to keep the cookies from spreading too thin while they’re in the oven.
Best Store-Bought Crispy Cookies & Soft-Baked Cookies
Now you know how crispy and soft cookies are made, but what if you want a convenient store- bought solution? Good news: Maxine’s Heavenly now offers both crispy and soft-baked cookies, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth no matter your preference.
Plus, both our soft-baked and crispy style cookies feature higher quality ingredients than many other store-bought brands. We don’t use refined flour, and we sweeten our cookies with clean ingredients like coconut sugar and dates.
The result is guilt-free cookies that still have the homemade taste you know and love. And whether crispy or soft-baked, our cookies will always be gluten-free and vegan. So you can share them with everyone!
You can learn more about the benefits of our wholesome ingredients here.
FAQs
Soft cookies have a water concentration of 6% or higher – moisture being the variable in texture. To make cookies crispy, add less liquid or bake it in the oven for longer to dry out the dough.
Do people like crunchy or chewy cookies? ›
There are two schools of thought when it comes to cookies—soft or crispy. Some people like them soft and chewy, while others prefer them crispy and crunchy.
Should cookies be soft or hard? ›
You can take a bite or break off a piece. Either way, when you taste it, you'll know for certain if it's done. A cookie that's fully done shouldn't be doughy, nor should it be overly crunchy (unless you're making a really crunchy type of cookie). It should be soft, crumbly, and perfect when freshly baked.
Should crisp cookies be stored with soft or chewy cookies? ›
Soft cookies such as gingerbread, chocolate chip, and peanut butter cookies should be stored separately from crispy cookies. If they have a strong flavor, they should also be stored away from other types of soft cookies in an airtight container.
Should sugar cookies be soft or crispy? ›
The very best sugar cookies are soft and tender. → Follow this tip: One of the keys to great sugar cookies is mixing the dry ingredients only until they're just incorporated, and not a second longer. Once the dry ingredients are added, less mixing equals more tender cookies.
What can cause a cookie to be too crisp or soft? ›
17, 2021. 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.
What is crunchy chip cookie personality? ›
The squad captain may be famous for his quick temper—which is not surprising given the sheer amount of the crunchiest choco chips in his dough—but rest assured: Crunchy Chip Cookie is loyal and reliable, just like his white-maned wolf companion.
What is America's favorite type of cookie? ›
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Timeless Classic. It's no surprise that chocolate chip cookies consistently rank as one of the most beloved treats in the United States.
Which cookie do people like the most? ›
Chocolate chip cookies
What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.
What is the secret to soft cookies? ›
Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.
How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
- Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
- Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
- Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
- Rest your dough. ...
- Shorten baking time.
A cookie made with extra egg yolk (or, in this case, only egg yolk), will be lighter and chewier than a cookie made with whole eggs. The cookies will also have a richer flavor thanks to the added fat in egg yolk.
Why are my cookies crispy instead of soft? ›
Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour. Baking soda helps cookies spread outward and upward while cooking.
What makes cookies crispy vs chewy? ›
How to Make Crispy Cookies. While brown sugar keeps your cookies moist and soft, white sugar and corn syrup will help your cookies spread and crisp in the oven. Using more white sugar in your cookies will result in a crispier end product. To achieve a crispy cookie, skip the rest in the fridge.
Should crisp cookies be stored in airtight containers? ›
How do you store cookies to stay crisp? To keep crispy cookies crisp, you need to keep them away from moisture. Always store different types of cookies separately—soft cookies can cause crispy cookies to soften due to their extra moisture. Place crispy cookies in an airtight container, but don't completely seal it.
What does it mean if cookies are soft? ›
Soft-baked cookies are often made using a solid fat with a higher melting point, which prevents the cookie from spreading while baking. The result is a thicker, softer, chewier cookie. Another simple trick for softer cookies is to use chilled dough.
What is crispness in cookies? ›
Explanation: The crispness of a cookie is determined by a variety of factors including the ingredients used, the ratios of these ingredients, as well as the baking time and temperature. For instance, using more sugar and butter generally leads to a crisper cookie.
What is the difference between soft and chewy cookies? ›
This has to do with the recipes, the oven, and even the sizes of the cookies. A different shortening will produce a different cookie, softer or sturdier.. Changing the sugar from white, to brown or molasses will change the chewiness. Adding an egg gives a cake-like tenderness.
Are McDonald's cookies hard or soft? ›
An amazingly delicious, soft and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie—our Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe features a perfectly warm, soft baked cookie loaded with gooey chocolate chips. Enjoy it on its own as a snack or pair it with your favorite McDonald's meal. There are 170 calories in a Chocolate Chip Cookie from McDonald's.
