Goodman1

Does oven temperature affect the size of chocolate chip cookies?

Kate Goodman

Masters

Physical Science

Period 5

11/18/2020

Word count: 678

 Goodman2

Kate Goodman

Masters

Physical Science

Period 5

11/182020

Does oven temperature affect the size of chocolate chip cookies?

Numerous bakers around the world have wondered if oven temperature affects the size of

chocolate chip cookies. Many people question how chocolate chip cookies came about. Lots of

people want to get the best temperature to satisfy their perfect cookie. There are hundreds of

different ingredients out there that affect cookies. Different people question what makes their

cookies spread. Oven rack position is vital when it comes to baking chocolate chip cookies in the

oven. Our entire world needs to know this information to educate people on how to bake the best

chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident when a woman named Ruth chopped

up a chocolate block and thought it would melt through the cookie but it did not (Krake 1). The

chocolate chip cookie was created in the 1930’s. Ruth and her husband Kenneth were running

the Toll House Inn located in Massachusetts at the time (Krake 1). Her “mistake” ended up being

a huge success. Various bakers since then have tried to develop the perfect chocolate chip cookie

recipe. According to Chef Lopez, “It took weeks of non stop testing and more than 1,500 cookies

to develop my recipe” (Lopez 1). Most dessert lovers like a chewy moist center that are crisp

around the edges.

According to scientists all around the world,cookie baking temperatures do fluctuate, but

mostly stay around 350 degrees (Vanessa 1). It has been noted that for the best soft and chewy
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chocolate chip cookies, they should be baked at 375 degrees to make sure it has a very chewy

aspect. The ideal range for all cookies to be baked at is 300-375 (The1). For a more crispy cookie

let them rest on the baking sheet for 1 minute before letting them cool. A cookie thermometer

greatly assists the baker in knowing when to remove the cookies from the oven.

In addition to temperature, ingredients make a difference in how cookies spread. There

have been countless studies done that show using white sugar will make cookies a lot crispier

than brown sugar alone (Gore 1). Baking soda can help make cookies rise and roll out a lot

smoother (Gore 1). The best form of butter is softened because it will make the cookies rise very

well, while on the other hand, melted butter will cause the sugar to melt (Home 1).

Bakers worldwide wonder how to keep their cookies from spreading too much. If the

batter is made with butter with a high water content it will certainly make the cookies spread

(Alfaro 1). There are many reasons they spread out and touch each other, but the most important

one to follow is to not put more liquids in than the recipe desires (Alfaro 1). If the raw cookie

batter is measured correctly when it is placed on the cookie sheet they will most likely not spread

(Alfaro 1). Lastly, greasing the pan can result in excess spreading of the cookies (Alfaro 1).

Another factor that impacts how cookies spread is the position of the oven racks. The

middle rack is the best rack position because it has an even amount of heat surrounding the

cookies (Naglich 1). If two batches are baked at once, the cookies must bake for a longer time in

the oven (Naglich 1). Ovens are insulated boxes containing one heating element at the top of the

oven and one at the bottom of the oven (Reluctantgourm). Cookies should be rotated after three

quarters of the baking time has passed (Naglich 1).

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Does oven temperature affect the size of chocolate chip cookies? Chocolate chip cookies

were actually invented by accident. The ideal range for cookies to bake is 300-375. The best

form of butter is softened. Cookies spread faster if they have more ingredients that are wet. The

middle rack for cookies is the best position. Higher temperatures will cause cookies to spread

faster.
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Citation page

Alfaro, Danilo Alfaro. “3 Reasons Cookies Spread When You Bake Them (and How to Prevent

It).” ​The Spruce Eats​,

www.thespruceeats.com/why-do-cookies-spread-when-baked-995121​.

Gore, Makinze. “This Is How Temperature, Butter, And Sugar Affect Your Chocolate Chip

Cookies.” ​Delish​, Delish, 16 Sept. 2020,

www.delish.com/cooking/a26844042/chocolate-chip-cookie-variables-chart/​.

Home made simple. “6 Ingredients That Affect Your Cookies: Home Made Simple US.”

Homepage​, ​www.homemadesimple.com/kitchen/6-ingredients-that-affect-your-baking/​.

Krake, Kate. “The Chocolate Chip Cookie Was Invented By Accident.” ​Business Insider,​

Business Insider, 16 Mar. 2013,

static7.businessinsider.com/the-chocolate-chip-cookie-was-invented-by-accident-2013-3.

essure/.

Landolakes. “Landolakes.” ​Landolakes.com​,

www.landolakes.com/expert-advice/cookie-know-how-why-do-my-cookies-spread/.

López-Alt, J. Kenji. “The Science of the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Food Lab.” ​The

Science of the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies | The Food Lab | Serious Eats,​ Serious Eats,

25 Aug. 2020,

sweets.seriouseats.com/2013/12/the-food-lab-the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies.html.

Naglich, Mandy. “This Is the Best Oven Rack Position for Baking Cookies.” ​Taste of Home,​
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Taste of Home, 20 Mar. 2019,

www.tasteofhome.com/article/the-best-oven-rack-position-for-baking-cookies/.

Reluctantgourmet, G. Stephen Jones. “Is Oven Rack Position Important?” ​The Reluctant

Gourmet​, 22 Aug. 2018, www.reluctantgourmet.com/oven-rack-position/.

“The Ideal Baking Temp for Your Chocolate Chip Cookies.” ​Food Network,​

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/baking-guide/cookies-and-bars/what-temp-bake

-chocolate-chip-cookies.

Vanessa Greaves November 29, Vanessa Greaves, and Vanessa Greaves. “How to Bake Perfect

Cookies From Scratch.” ​Allrecipes​, Allrecipes, 29 Nov. 2016,

www.allrecipes.com/article/perfect-cookies/​.