Can You Add Milk to Cookie Dough? How Much Is Too Much?
Finding the right recipe for cookie dough can sometimes be difficult and confusing since you want to achieve the perfect taste, but you somehow mess up the recipe in the process. This is due to the fact that you might add something that does not really suit the cookie dough, so you may wonder whether milk is the substance that is not suitable for your cookies.
It is recommended to add a certain amount of milk to cookie dough in order to give your cookies an even coating. Milk actually quickens the process of making the cookies and ensures that they do not end up gritty. However, you should be careful with the amount you add so you do not ruin the texture.
If you are looking for the perfect cookie recipe, you should know that there are some tricks that will help you even if you are using really basic ingredients. In this article, I will explain how cookie dough should look and whether you should add some milk to obtain a good texture. In addition, I will discuss the proper ways of storing cookie dough before baking it, so you would achieve the perfect taste as well as shape.
What Does Milk Do in Cookie Dough?
Milk is not a secret ingredient in cookie dough; however, the amount you include in it can be difficult to determine. What milk actually does to cookie dough is make it less stiff, so they will not end up gritty once they are fully baked.
Milk is actually the ingredient that makes the cookies crunchy and crispy, but not hard, so they would be difficult to chew and swallow.
However, you should not exaggerate the amount of milk that you put inside the cookie dough. If you put in a larger amount, the milk will ruin the texture, and you will not be able to obtain the cookies you have expected.
Is It OK to Add Milk to Cookie Dough?
It is definitely OK to add some milk to cookie dough, but you have to be careful with the amount you plan to include. A lot of milk liquid might ruin the texture of the dough, so the cookies will not be able to be baked, or they will end up being hard and difficult to chew. What you actually aim to achieve in the cookie dough is the perfect texture that will result in crunchy cookies.
Therefore, adding one or two tablespoons of milk would be enough, so the texture of the cookie dough would be ready for baking.
However, some bakers and cookie masters claim that powdered milk is the better option for cookie dough. This is due to the fact that milk needs to be in a concentrated form when added to cookie dough, and milk powder has the best consistency for it.
In fact, powdered milk does not mess with the liquid portion of the dough, i.e. it gives some extra richness and sweetness to the end result. Also, this way you do not lose the nutrients that most of the ingredients have, especially milk.
How Should a Cookie Dough Look?
Cookie dough is supposed to be tough and not soft. This is because you have to be able to roll the dough effectively and end up with some good shapes and sizes of the cookies. However, you should make sure that the cookie dough is not extremely firm, so you could actually work with it.
On the other hand, if your cookie dough ends up being very soft, you can add some flour to it. One or two tablespoons of flour will thicken the dough enough so you will achieve the texture you need for baking the perfect crispy cookies.
Should Cookie Dough Be Refrigerated Before Baking?
Generally, it is a “must” to refrigerate the cookie dough before you proceed to bake. According to many chefs, the time considered enough for refrigeration of the cookie dough is at least 30 minutes. This is necessary so you would allow the flour to hydrate sufficiently and make the cookie dough firm enough for baking.
This step also prevents the cookies from spreading too much, so you would be able to make some good sizes and shapes. You need to remember that this is a basic cooking routine, so this step should not be skipped. If you want to achieve the real cookie texture and the real richness and crispiness in the cookies, then chilling for at least 30 minutes is mandatory.
How to Fix Cookie Dough With Too Much Flour?
If you notice that your cookie dough has become quite hard and firm, then you need to consider adding some liquid. Usually, chefs recommend adding a little bit of milk, so you will not mess up the consistency of the dough. In addition, you also have to stir and mix the cookie dough quite long, so you would achieve the consistency you need.
In conclusion, it is clear that milk will not mess up your cookie dough as long as it is added in accurate proportions. Milk can be beneficial to the cookie dough, but you have to be really careful with the amounts you include.
