Are you stuck with a batch of undercooked sugar cookies?
I know how frustrating that can be, but don’t panic. Fortunately, it’s fixable. Hear me out before you even think about throwing those cookies away.
This article tells you how to know that your sugar cookies are undercooked, how to fix those undercooked sugar cookies, and how to prevent the situation in the first place.
How to Tell Your Sugar Cookies Are Undercooked
Easy! You can tell right after you take them out of the oven. Simply, keep an eye out for these signs:
The Texture
Perhaps the first tell-tale sign is the cookie’s texture. Generally speaking, undercooked cookies are crumbly or doughy, especially toward the center.
Interestingly, the ideal texture of sugar cookies is a matter of taste. Therefore, the first step is to determine how you like your cookies. That can help you save them correctly.
The Cracks
Sugar cookies are famous for their cracked surfaces. Think of it as a signature look.
That’s why you need to keep an eye on these little cracks. If they’re only around the middle of the cookie, it’s undercooked.
The Spread
By the spread, I mean how far the cookies spread on the sheet. Believe it or not, undercooked cookies spread further than cooked ones.
That’s primarily because the dough isn’t done yet to take its right shape. If you feel your cookies are thinner and spread out more than usual, they’re undercooked.
The Taste
Still not sure about the texture or looks?
Take a bite! Of course, you can tell through a bite. Don’t worry; undercooked cookies don’t taste so bad, so you won’t end up with an unpleasant surprise. If your cookies taste raw, a little wet, or super chewy, they’re undercooked.
How to Fix Undercooked Sugar Cookies
Now, let’s see how to fix those undercooked sugar cookies and enjoy these perfect little treats you made:
1 – Rebake In the Oven
The answer is as simple as, “Put them back in the oven.”
Rebake the undercooked cookies between 5 and 15 minutes at 300 or 325°F, depending on how undercooked they are.
The trick here is to wait until your cookies cool to room temperature before putting them back in the oven. Otherwise, you risk overcooking them.
Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. You may increase the temperature later if you want to add more color to it.
- Spread the cookies evenly on a tray lined with parchment paper.
- After they cool to room temperature, put the tray in the oven.
- Check on your cookies after about five minutes, keeping an eye on the color and the edges.
2 – Put in the Microwave
For faster results, microwave the cookies. That should take between 60 and 90 seconds. You’ll notice an immediate difference.
Make sure to spread them out on the plate to allow them to cook thoroughly. Much like when using the oven, you still should wait for your undercooked cookies to cool down to avoid burning them.
Follow these simple steps to fix the problem fast:
- Wait for the cookies to get to room temperature.
- Spread the cookies on a large plate. You can divide them into batches if you don’t have enough space.
- Microwave for 60 seconds. Then, test your cookies. You may put them back for short intervals to avoid burning the cookies.
How to Avoid Undercooked Cookies
You should better avoid undercooking your sugar cookies from the start. Here are some factors to consider for your next batch:
Overcrowding the Tray
An overcrowded tray may be the reason for undercooked sugar cookies. Fan out your cookies on the tray, allowing proper air circulation.
You can always divide your cookies into multiple batches to get the best results.
The Cookie Dough
The dough itself may be the cause of the problem. Excessively soft or warm cookie dough may lead to overspreading and undercooking.
For best results, chill the dough before baking it. You can even try to reduce the thickness of your cookie to help it cook faster and more evenly.
Your Oven
It may be all because of your oven. For starters, use a kitchen thermometer to ensure that the oven’s temperature is the same as you see on the screen. If not, you should adjust your oven.
In addition, check if your oven has hot spots. These overheated areas can lead to uneven cooking. To get over this issue, rotate the baking tray halfway while cooking to distribute the heat more evenly.
Time and Temperature
Normally, you should follow the recipe to the T. However, if you notice that you regularly end up with undercooked cookies, you should adjust the recipe.
Most probably, there’s a problem with your temperature and/or timing. Invest in a kitchen thermometer to help you get the right temperature.
Moreover, feel free to increase the timing for a few minutes if the problem persists. Baking a perfect batch of sugar cookies can be a try-and-error technique.
Final Thoughts
So, do you know how to fix undercooked sugar cookies?
Fortunately, it’s very simple. You can put them back in the oven for a few minutes or in the microwave for one minute.
To avoid undercooked cookies, adjust the time and temperature, don’t overcrowd the tray, and chill the dough before baking.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.