8.1 Types of Cookies - 8.1 Types of Cookies Explained
Key Concepts
- Drop Cookies
- Bar Cookies
- Molded Cookies
- Pressed Cookies
- Refrigerator Cookies
- No-Bake Cookies
- Rolled Cookies
- Sandwich Cookies
Drop Cookies
Drop cookies are made by dropping spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. They spread out during baking and are known for their soft, chewy texture. Common examples include chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies.
Example: A classic chocolate chip cookie is a drop cookie. The dough is scooped with a spoon and placed on a baking sheet, resulting in a soft, chewy cookie with melted chocolate chips.
Bar Cookies
Bar cookies are made by spreading dough in a pan and cutting them into bars after baking. They are often thicker and have a denser texture compared to drop cookies. Examples include brownies and blondies.
Example: A brownie is a type of bar cookie. The batter is spread evenly in a baking pan, baked, and then cut into squares, resulting in a rich, fudgy dessert.
Molded Cookies
Molded cookies are shaped by hand or with a cookie press before baking. They maintain their shape well and are often used for decorative cookies. Examples include sugar cookies and gingerbread men.
Example: A gingerbread man is a molded cookie. The dough is rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked, resulting in a crisp, flavorful cookie that can be decorated with icing.
Pressed Cookies
Pressed cookies are made using a cookie press, which extrudes the dough into various shapes. They are known for their intricate designs and delicate texture. Examples include spritz cookies and butter cookies.
Example: A spritz cookie is a pressed cookie. The dough is loaded into a cookie press, extruded into desired shapes, and baked, resulting in a light, buttery cookie with a decorative design.
Refrigerator Cookies
Refrigerator cookies are made by chilling the dough in the refrigerator before slicing and baking. They maintain their shape well and are often used for rolled cookies. Examples include sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies.
Example: A peanut butter refrigerator cookie is made by chilling the dough, rolling it into logs, slicing it, and baking, resulting in a chewy, flavorful cookie.
No-Bake Cookies
No-bake cookies are made without baking in the oven. They are typically cooked on the stovetop and then set with ingredients like oats and peanut butter. Examples include no-bake oatmeal cookies and no-bake energy balls.
Example: A no-bake oatmeal cookie is made by cooking sugar, butter, and milk on the stovetop, adding oats and peanut butter, and then dropping spoonfuls onto wax paper to set, resulting in a chewy, nutritious treat.
Rolled Cookies
Rolled cookies are made by rolling out the dough and cutting it into shapes with cookie cutters. They are known for their precise shapes and can be decorated with icing or sprinkles. Examples include sugar cookies and shortbread cookies.
Example: A sugar cookie is a rolled cookie. The dough is rolled out, cut into shapes, baked, and then decorated with icing and sprinkles, resulting in a festive, decorative treat.
Sandwich Cookies
Sandwich cookies consist of two cookies with a filling sandwiched between them. They are known for their layered texture and variety of flavors. Examples include Oreos and whoopie pies.
Example: An Oreo is a sandwich cookie. Two chocolate cookies are filled with a creamy vanilla filling, resulting in a crunchy, creamy treat that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Analogies
Think of drop cookies as freeform art, where each cookie is unique and spreads out naturally. Bar cookies are like building blocks, stacked and cut into uniform shapes. Molded cookies are the sculptures, carefully shaped and decorated. Pressed cookies are the intricate lace, delicately extruded into beautiful patterns. Refrigerator cookies are the logs, rolled and sliced into perfect circles. No-bake cookies are the quick snacks, made without the need for an oven. Rolled cookies are the precision cutouts, shaped and decorated with care. Sandwich cookies are the layered cakes, with a filling that adds a delightful contrast.