This post contains affiliate links.
Cookies are a delicious treat that people of all ages can enjoy. However, nothing is more frustrating than biting into a soft and chewy cookie. How can you harden your soft cookies and make them last longer?
As a general rule, the best way to harden your soft cookies is to put them back into an oven preheated at 300 – 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2-3 minutes. Cookies are usually soft because they’re underbaked. Putting them back in the oven will help the cookies to set and become harder.
In this article, I will discuss all 8 simple ways to harden your soft cookies and ensure they are always crispy and delicious.
Why Are My Cookies Still Soft After Baking?
The most common reason that your cookies are still soft after baking is that the oven temperature was not hot enough. When the oven doesn’t reach the right temperature, the cookie dough will not get hot enough to bake and harden. Make sure to set your oven to the correct temperature.
It can also be that you took them out too soon.
*By the way, I came across the perfect 24 Piece Set of Cookie Cutters that come in different shapes and sizes perfect for shaping your cookie dough the right way. You can check out these cutters on Amazon!
8 Simple Ways to Harden Your Soft Cookies
When it comes to cookies, we all have our preferences. Some people like them chewy, while others prefer them crispy.
The best way to achieve the desired consistency is to experiment with different baking times and temperatures. Here are the 8 best methods to help you harden your soft cookies:
Put Them Back in the Oven
The cookies turned out too soft because the oven temperature was not hot enough. Putting them back in the oven will help them to set and become harder.
Preheat the oven to 300-50 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cookies for 2-3 minutes.
This will help the cookies to set and become harder. This method is best for cookies that have already been baked and are still soft.
Freeze the Cookies
This is a great way to harden your cookies if you plan on storing them for a long time. Place the cookies on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour.
This will help them to become harder and last longer.
Freezing the cookies is easier than trying to bake them again. You just have to ensure you do not leave them in the freezer for too long, or they will become hard and brittle.
Bake the Cookies Again
If you find that your cookies are still too soft after baking them once, you can try baking them again. Bake them for a shorter amount of time and at a higher temperature this time.
For example, if you originally baked the cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, try baking them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. This will help the cookies to become harder.
Use a Cookie Press
A cookie press is a great way to ensure your cookies are the same size and shape. It will also help to harden the cookies as they are being pressed.
If you do not have a cookie press, you can use a piping bag with a star tip to get the same effect.
Press the cookies into shape and then bake them according to the recipe. This will help to harden the cookies and make them look more uniform.
To do this properly, I usually use a Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set. This cookie press comes with 12 custom-design disks that will create different designs for your cookies. You can check out this cookie press on Amazon!
Brush Them with Egg White
Egg whites create a barrier that will help keep the cookie’s moisture.
This will make the cookies harder and less likely to become soft. To use this method, whisk an egg white until it is frothy. Then, brush the mixture onto the cookies before baking them.
Add More Flour
If your cookie dough is too sticky, you can try adding more flour. This will help to absorb the excess moisture and make the cookies harder.
Simply add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to the dough and mix it in until the dough is no longer sticky.
Chill the Dough
If you are making your cookie dough, you can try chilling it before baking. This will help to firm up the dough and make the cookies harder.
Simply place the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking. The cookies will be harder when they come out of the oven.
Use a Cookie Scoop
Sometimes cookies can become too soft because they are not the same size.
A cookie scoop will help make them all the same size and shape. This will also help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
*Side Note: Reheating your cookies the right way is no simple task, If you’re looking to know if you can Reheat Your Cookies In An Air Fryer, I recently wrote an article that talks about What To Expect When Reheating Cookies in An Air Fryer, which you can check out here!
How Long Does it Take for Cookies to Harden?
On average, it usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes for cookies to harden when cooling. However, this can vary depending on the type of cookie and the ingredients used. Make sure that the cookies are fully baked before taking them out of the oven to cool.
When you first take the cookies out of the oven, they will be soft. But as they cool down, they will begin to harden. You can store the cookies in an airtight container to help them stay fresh and hard for longer.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Baking Cookies Without Using An Oven. This article breaks down all possible substitutes for baking cookies without an oven. You can check out this article here!
Can I Rebake Cookies That Are Too Soft?
As a general rule, you can rebake cookies that are too soft. Bake the soft cookies for a shorter amount of time and at a higher oven temperature. This will help the cookies harden quicker if they are already baked. Rebaking the soft cookies will also help to preserve their shape.
Below, I found a helpful video that breaks down what cookies look like at different oven temperatures:
To do this properly, I pour the melted chocolate into a special piping bag and squeeze designs onto my creations. I recently came across a great Piping Bag With Decorating Tips that works perfectly for this. You can check it out on Amazon!
What Makes a Cookie Hard or Soft?
The type of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs used in the cookie recipe will all affect how hard or soft the cookies turn out. For example, using all-purpose flour will make the cookies harder than using self-rising flour.
Other factors that can affect the hardness of the cookies include:
The Length of Time You Bake the Cookies
Many people think the longer you bake cookies, the harder they will become. However, this is not always the case. Baking the cookies for too long can actually make them softer.
The type of cookie also plays a role in how long it should be baked. For example, sugar cookies should be baked for a shorter amount of time than gingerbread cookies.
The Type of Cookie Are You Making
Different types of cookies will naturally be harder or softer. For example, shortbread cookies are typically harder than oatmeal cookies.
This is because the ingredients used in each type of cookie will affect the final texture. Shortbread cookies contain less moisture than oatmeal cookies, which makes them harder.
*Side Note: You might also want to know How To Bake Cookies Without A Cookie Sheet. I recently wrote an article that talks about What Can You Use To Bake Cookies Without A Cookie Sheet, which you can check out here!
