Rookie Cookie Mistakes

on December 18, 2010

Has anyone else been feeling super dehydrated lately?

No matter how much water I chug, I just canâ€™t get hydrated! I feel like Iâ€™m living in a cold, balmy Sahara dessert. It must be the dry heat from the heaters? Ugh.

In other newsâ€¦

I tried to make Christmas cookies last night and had not one, but TWO major kitchen flops.

Cookie Rookie Mistake #1: I overly melted the rock hard butter in the microwave. Normally 15 seconds is good enough to cheat the system and bring butter to room temp, but I guess I hit two 1â€™s and totally melted the butter. The result was flat, runny cookies.

Cookie Rookie Mistake #2: I swapped baking soda for baking powder (or the other way around, Iâ€™m so confused) and ended up with sad, flat cookies.

Ah well. At least the first batch is edible (just spread out and kind of ugly). Iâ€™m going to a Christmas party tonight so I think weâ€™re going to have to swing by the grocery store so we can buy something to serve up as dessert.

I did, however, managed to make a successful breakfast!

In the mix:

Raw oats
Canned pumpkin
Vanilla Greek yogurt
Coconut
Banana

Oh and – congrats to Tiny Urban Kitchen, who won Project Food Blog. Jennifer is now the reigning food blogger queen â€“ so check out her great blog! 🙂

Anyone else ruining cookies, slugging water, or attending an ugly Christmas sweater party? Ooooooh yeah.

{ 67 comments }

Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) December 18, 2010, 9:27 am
I thought I was the only one feeling so dehydrated… been chugging water and even bough a humidifier for the bedroom… it helps a little bit.

Have fun at the sweater party!
laura December 18, 2010, 9:31 am
if you don’t have time to let the butter soften at room temp, you can grate it and then use it right away.
Sara December 18, 2010, 9:33 am
Tina mixed up baking soda and baking powder, too! I’m sure you knew that, though 🙂

Baking soda requires some kind of acid addition to help it rise, like brown sugar or lemon juice. Baking powder already has the acid component added, in case the recipe doesn’t call for an acid, like sugar cookies, I imagine. I think what happens if you just use baking soda w/o an acid is that the baked good ends up yellow-ish looking and tastes really bitter. At least that’s what the baking soda only biscuits in my food lab tasted like…
Mary Allison December 18, 2010, 9:34 am
When I have rock hard butter I run hot water in a glass bowl, put the butter in plastic baggies and let soak for 5-7 minutes–works like a charm. I am DYING of thirst too and my face is a little sandy. Get a cookie press! Wilton. Your life will change.
Kath December 18, 2010, 9:34 am
Don’t know what the flurry of bad photography tweets was for – these photos are amazing!
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 9:55 am
  Thanks my dear.
Wei-Wei December 18, 2010, 9:38 am
Oh, goodness. Sounds like an interesting morning… You know what they say… If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 18, 2010, 9:39 am
I’m with you- just had my THIRD glass of water this morning and I’m STILL thirsty! Weird. Maybe it is the dry heat?
Ellen@FirednFabulous December 18, 2010, 9:41 am
haha, I feel like I NEVER get my cookies right. Everrrrr.
Cindy December 18, 2010, 9:41 am
Get a humidifier, it will help. I sleep with one on every night and move it to whatever room I am in when I am home for more than a couple hours. It is amazing how much it helps in the winter.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing December 18, 2010, 9:41 am
I never even knew you COULD overly melt butter. Good to know! The baking powder/soda happens to the best of us, for sure.

No parties today, just the winter farmer’s market and lunch!
Kris December 18, 2010, 9:45 am
We had a day w/ 0% humidity — in FL! It’s been cold and dry, but warm and sunny yesterday and raining today (we need it!). I made chocolate chip dough balls w/ self rising flour AND salt. Oops! Chocolate chip salty dough balls 🙁 I made DH another batch since they were an anniversary present, but he insists he can eat the first batch too. Sweet hubby!
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks December 18, 2010, 9:45 am
You can only get better at something by doing more of it! I’m sure your cookies are delicious. One of my favorite ways to ensure cookies that don’t puddle out on the baking tray is to let the dough chill for an hour or two before baking. That way the flour has time to absorb some of the moisture in the butter and other liquid ingredients, so the cookies hold their shape better. Happy holidays, and happy baking Caitlin!
Cynthia (It All Changes) December 18, 2010, 9:50 am
Winter always makes me more dehydrated. My lips chap and I can’t stop chugging water. I have to remember to add more salt into my diet for all the water I’m drinking so I don’t get massive headaches.
Amalfi Girl December 18, 2010, 9:55 am
I have been very dehydrated too (especially in the morning–sleep + heat = thirsty!).

Your breakfast concoctions are really interesting. How do you store your pumpkin? Do you just open a can in the beginning of the week and put whatever you don’t use in tupperware?
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 9:56 am
  Yup and try to eat it within 5 days!
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate December 18, 2010, 9:57 am
My sorority had an tacky sweater party last week and it was fab! So much fun! 🙂
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 18, 2010, 9:58 am
I am having a major dehydration problems! Then it recently went the other way with major over production of mucus! I am trying to drink tons of water, eat a lot of citrus and get extra sleep. I am not loving the back and forth feeling though.
Emilie December 18, 2010, 9:58 am
I’ve been having the same problem with water. I just can’t get enough and if I don’t drink anything over the course of about 30 minutes I feel like I haven’t had water for days. I talked to my dietitian about it and she was pretty sure it was the dry air because of winter being upon us!
Beth @ 990 Square December 18, 2010, 10:00 am
If you have cold butter and you need it softened, run a bowl with warm (but not too hot) water and let the butter (in the wrappers) sit in it for 5-10 minutes. It will soften right up!
Krystina (Basil & Wine) December 18, 2010, 10:00 am
I want to go to an ugly Christmas sweater party! But alas, no parties on schedule. I am, however, drinking tea like it’s going out of style. I’ve barely drank any water, but tea, wine and white Russians? Totally drinking them copiously.
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 10:13 am
  Baw hahah re: white russians.
Suzanne @ continuing my education December 18, 2010, 10:08 am
Just wrote a post about the differences between baking powder and baking soda! I didn’t know how important it was until I did the research! Sorry for the cookie fail!
Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous December 18, 2010, 10:08 am
When I went to Vegas a few months ago I could not get hydrated. I kept drinking and drinking water but felt perpetually thirsty. It was insane!
Amy @ Onehealthypeanut December 18, 2010, 10:08 am
I took two eggs out of the fridge yesterday morning to bring to room temperature. When I went to crack them later, one was hard boiled!! Oh well, one warm one cold work out well too 🙂
Lauren December 18, 2010, 10:16 am
I have an Christmas sweater that I’ve worn to ugly sweater parties…but I secretly love and wear it around my house sometimes!
Melissa @ TryingToHeal December 18, 2010, 10:17 am
Totally with ya on the water debacle…can’t seem to drink enough!
lindsay December 18, 2010, 10:23 am
I missed my ugly sweater party last night bc I was sick 🙁 I did recently buy a humidifier though for my condo bc its so dry in the winter! Its def helping…
Jen @ Canoe of Life December 18, 2010, 10:29 am
When I overmelt the butter, I pop the completed cookie dough into the fridge for a few hours or overnight- which usually makes it all better…

Have fun tonight!
Michelle December 18, 2010, 10:33 am
I’m baking the Jam Thumbprint cookies tonight! I hope they’re good!
DadHTP December 18, 2010, 10:35 am
hahaha – your HTPg’mom threw out three cakes in one day the first time she tried to bake for HTPg’dad because of the soda/powder mistake – can’t wait to tell him!
the veg meg December 18, 2010, 10:41 am
I can NOT get hydrated no matter how much water I drink…augh! must be the heater…
Baking 'n' Books December 18, 2010, 10:42 am
Pretty much all of the above. Coconut – never thought of that!

I made Graham cracker ‘Smores’ Muffins yesterday – without the marshmallows though – and they are so like crack! I’ll post them later maybe if I remember to sneak a pic before I eat the remaining ones 😉
- Anon December 18, 2010, 1:37 pm
  That sounds amazing.
  - Baking 'n' Books December 18, 2010, 2:50 pm
    Oh Empty Nut?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table December 18, 2010, 10:52 am
Sometimes those mistakes can work out for the better… I forgot to add the second stick of butter to my choc chip cookies once and ended up loving the fact that they were so much less greasy. I make them like that to this day!
Kelly December 18, 2010, 11:02 am
My skin has been feeling dehydrated lately. It’s a common problem I have in the winter.
Jazz December 18, 2010, 11:14 am
No ugly sweaters here, but we had a banquet for youth group last night and all the girl leaders wore wedding dresses, so much fun! I loved wearing it again!
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 11:15 am
  how FUNNNNNNNNNN! i would love a chance to wear my wedding dress again.
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) December 18, 2010, 11:20 am
Oh the butter mistake. I do that with coconut oil since I dont use butter…once it’s runny, better come up with Plan B.

And Tina blogged yesterday that she swapped baking soda for powder or vice versa…honestly, I am such a raw un-baker/no-baker that I rarely use baking powder or soda so when i do, i have to triple check to make sure I am doing it right.

I think powder makes things puffier and if you use soda not powder, that’s when they get flat. But don’t go by my word!!!
Kiran December 18, 2010, 11:24 am
All the dryness in the air is so unpleasant. H2O much needed. I hope to do some baking today 🙂
Jillian@ Reshape Your Life December 18, 2010, 11:38 am
I thought I was the only one dehydrated. Although I never drink enough water anyway, it’s definitely worse right now.

And I totally have had a few cookie flops lately… And I almost had one last night when I added an extra 1/4 cup of flour to the recipe by accident but didn’t notice until I had a big crumbly ball of dough, so then I had to add a little of this and a little of that until it had the right consistency… Then I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. And luckily they turned out to be the best cookies I’ve made yet!
Camille December 18, 2010, 11:42 am
I recently tried my hand at baking at 10,000 feet. Needless to say, it was a major downer 🙁
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 18, 2010, 12:21 pm
I’ve been so dehydrated lately too! And it’s making me so fatigued and light-headed.
Victoria (District Chocoholic) December 18, 2010, 12:41 pm
I’m definitely feeling totally dehydrated. I blame my building’s heating system. Blech.

For softening butter in a pinch, instead of using the microwave, cut it into 1/2 tablespoon chunks and set on a large dinner plate. It’ll be softened in 5 minutes. No melt issues.
Amber K December 18, 2010, 12:58 pm
My worst mistake was mixing up a bunch of no-bake pie filling as a child and I left the beaters IN the bowl. Then, of course, they fell out of the bowl and the entire thing turned upside down on the kitchen floor. Awful. I really wanted that pie too…
Sara December 18, 2010, 1:43 pm
I’ve been super dehydrated feeling too. Last weekend I didn’t replenish right after a super sweaty run, and then had some alcohol that night, the next day I felt HORRIBLE. Definitely something to be careful about this time of year.
Jacalyn December 18, 2010, 2:24 pm
I drink water ALL the time, but still seem to feel dehydrated. I love ugly Christmas sweater parties!
Amanda December 18, 2010, 2:36 pm
I’m been drinking water like there is no tomorrow! Central heating dries out the air and in turn dries you out too. Kind of a bummer, my skin doesn’t like winter one bit.

Flat cookies?! All that work and they don’t come out right : \ booo.
Joanna December 18, 2010, 2:41 pm
Rookie mistakes are def necessary rights of passage when it comes to baking. I have had many baking casualties! Actually this holiday season I decided to make one type of cookie for all events and gifts, that way I could perfect the recipe and just churn out perfect batches. It’s a little boring, but I keep reminding myself that I don’t want to go wrong while trying to make gifts!
Caroline December 18, 2010, 3:12 pm
Baking soda – is pure sodium bicarbonate and needs the addition of an acidic ingredient to activate (chem. reaction) and leaven baked products
baking powder – contains baking soda + acid (so no need for addition of an acidic ingredient to leaven
(just learned this in my food science class!!)
Heidi December 18, 2010, 4:29 pm
Have you tried drinking hot (comfortably hot) water? Hot water seems to absorb better. When I drink lots of cold or even room temp. water it feels like it just sits in stomach and doesn’t absorb. First thing in the morning a drink a couple glasses of hot water and I can feel the moisture return to my skin immediately!
In Chinese medicine they say that cold water is bad for the kidneys. It was a Daoist/Chinese medicine healer who first turned me on to hot water.
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 5:23 pm
  We drink room-temp water for this very reason!!!
  
  I think I need to try doing hot water in the AM though!
  - Lili* December 18, 2010, 5:35 pm
    Interesting. I will try warm water as well.
Sana December 18, 2010, 4:55 pm
I am constantly sucking on ice cubes in the winter!
Lili* December 18, 2010, 5:18 pm
Interesting Caitlin, I’ve been SO THIRSTY recently as well, especially in the AM’s. I keep drinking a lot of water all day at work…
Ugly xmas sweater party – there was a contest at work 😀 and guess what the prize was? A Snuggie hahha – cheesy but it was fun to see the guys wear xmas sweater (for some reason only the guys dressed up!)
- Caitlin December 18, 2010, 5:22 pm
  That is the best Christmas Sweater prize that I have ever heard of. Ever.
Leanne @ A Lot on my Plate December 18, 2010, 7:25 pm
I cannot drink enough water! No matter how much I drink my mouth is still super dry. It must be the heat. My whole body is drying out. BOO cold weather. I miss summer.
The warm water thing sounds interesting. Is warm water really better for the kidneys?
- Caitlin December 19, 2010, 12:02 pm
  That’s wha tthe Husband says!
ashley December 18, 2010, 10:02 pm
Anchorage is absurdly dry right now, so now only am I drinking water all day every day, I also run the humidifier in our house 24 hours and use body butter and vaseline ALL over. It’s helping: I’ve only had one nosebleed this week, instead of the 5 or 6 I normally have. Ohhh winter.
Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex December 18, 2010, 10:06 pm
I would LIKE to go to an ugly Christmas sweater party… I need to drink more water for sure. And clean. And finish Christmas shopping. :-/
Lacey @ Lake Life December 18, 2010, 11:09 pm
I had a cookie win last week that I’m hoping to re-create tomorrow. I most likely just jinxed myself 😉
http://keukalace.blogspot.com/2010/12/pepper-jelly-cornmeal-cups.html
Gigi December 19, 2010, 2:48 pm
The water with body temperature is the best for you body, because the body isn’t shocked by getting such a cup of cold water, and so that it doesn’t have to warm it up.

Air in winter is normally dry, especially after it goes through the heater. The dry heat desn’t do much good to our health. My body always feels itchy and my throat feels dry in the air-conditioned room. If I turn down the heater at night, the next morning I would feel so much better.
Heidi - apples under my bed December 19, 2010, 9:07 pm
I love your breakfast with the broken banana 🙂 looks super funky!
Heidi xo
Mindy Knows December 20, 2010, 1:43 pm
Tip: I use the “defrost” feature on my microwave to soften my butter.
Lisa December 20, 2010, 4:16 pm
I’ve made both of those rookie mistakes. Luckily this weekend I totally nailed the sugar cookies i was making! They turned out PERFECT!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 21, 2010, 12:18 am
I have totally been feeling dehydrated lately, but I think it is because of the bitterly cold, dry weather, and 50 k winds 🙂 Also because we have our heater going full force at home, and that is very drying.

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