Friday, June 15, 2007

It's official...

I'm a cookie snob.

My last few batches have been stiffer than I like, not enough "spread" to them. I've finally figured out it's my flour. My parents AND my brother both gave me 25 lb bags of Dakota Maid bread flour (they drove it down from MN, not available here!) because it makes much better bread than regular bread flour. It has a lot more protein (and gluten, the main protein in flour) so it provides a better bread structure. But since I have all this flour, I've been using it for everything...not any more. I think it's impacting my cookie quality, so I'll be buying some all-purpose flour.

Guess my food science days are coming back to me...

More about the bread of life later, right now Harmony wants a story :)

6 comments:

Mindy said...

there's nothing wrong with being a cookie snob! Flour is really important, I'm really picky about it too. I have to chill mine for an hour before I bake them, they stay fluffier. I'm picky about what goes in them, I prefer chocolate chunks to chips, milk chocolate instead of semisweet. If you love cookies like I do, you have to make them good!

Jen said...

Ohhhh! I read that somewhere awhile ago! We pick up copies of "Fine Cooking" when we see something interesting on the cover. They had a whole spread on the different types of flour and what to use them for. There are some really expensive, but excellent, flours for cakes, cookies, breads and pies. You aren't a snob! Just discerning! By the way, I checked my mag for details...unbleached, all-purpose (they recommend King Arthur) flour is best for most cookies unless otherwise specified or of a cake-like or delicate texture. There you go, science woman! The gluten gets in the way of "cookie-ness!"

The Rock Star said...

I ran into Amanda Lingley today on campus (she was picking up Dean). I had one of you "healthy" cookies, and I actually liked it! :)

Gretchen said...

Not that I'm endorsing snobbery, but I happen to be a coffee snob, so I get it. :)

Ann said...

I hear ya, Jonell--they tasted good, but weren't the texture :) That's why it's a cookie snob and not just cookie eater :)

Kim said...

I just make Dave bake the cookies...He does a better job anyway. :-)