Making cookies that stay soft for an extended period can be achieved by following a few key tips. Here's a recipe and some suggestions to help your cookies maintain their softness even after five hours:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips or other desired mix-ins (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
If using chocolate chips or other mix-ins, fold them into the dough gently until evenly distributed.
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading.
Bake the cookies for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still appear slightly undercooked.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for maintaining softness:
Don't overbake: Take the cookies out of the oven when the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
Use brown sugar: Brown sugar contains more moisture than white sugar, which helps keep cookies soft and chewy.
Store properly: Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container. Adding a slice of bread or a damp paper towel to the container can help retain moisture.
Reheat if needed: If the cookies have slightly hardened after a few hours, you can briefly reheat them in a microwave for a few seconds to restore their softness.
By following these tips and the recipe provided, you should be able to enjoy soft and delicious cookies even after several hours.