Martha's Cookies 101

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Ranked #110 in Food, #1,364 overall

Though cookies have been around in some form since the 7th century AD (read their long history), they don't last very long on the kitchen counter... or at least the best ones don't. This lens serves up the secrets to creating the disappearing cookie.

Why not bake your sweetheart some cookies for Valentine's Day? 

The Cookie Jar 

It all starts with the right recipe. But what texture is your thing?
  1. Soft and Chewy: Oatmeal Raisin

  2. Crispy and Crunchy: Stained-Glass Trees

  3. Light and Delicate: Cherry Tuiles

  4. Crumbly and Sandy: Lime Meltaways

  5. Cakey and Tender: Chocolate Surprise Cookies

  6. Rich and Dense: Truffle Brownies

  7. Chunky and Nutty: Rocky Ledge Bars

  8. Or... get 133 favorite cookie recipes of all textures

  9. Or... our easiest Christmas cookie recipes

But First... Get Smart 

Baking: Kitchen Tips
In baking anything, technique is the key.
Perfect Holiday Cookie Techniques
The how-to of perfect holiday cookies.
Decorating Holiday Cookies
The basics of cookie decorating.
Baking Tips
More help for the home baker.
Pantry Items and Baking Tools
An overview of a well-stocked baker's kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what flour to use to how to measure it... all the answers.
Cookies in Colorado
Tips to beat the challenge of mile-high baking.
How to Store Cookies
Video on storing cookies.

You'll Need Sugar and Spice... 

Great cookies are a blend of the best ingredients. These are some of our favorite sources.
Economy Candy
For fillings, fruit and baking chocolate.
Chocolatesource
For... you guessed it.
Kalustyan's
For the freshest spices.
The Baker's Catalogue
A range of baking supplies at the King Arthur Flour store.

...And the Right Stuff 

First, have a read. Then get in (the) gear. The info and equipment we couldn't live without.
Baking Sheets 101
Learn which ones you'll really need.
Broadway Panhandler
A wide range of excellent offerings.
Bridge Kitchenware
Imported cookware of professional quality
Say Goodbye to Burned Bottoms
A silicone pan liner will do the trick.
Finishing Touches
You'll need cookie cutters, and to top it all off, cookie-decorating supplies, too.

The Great Toll House Debate 

In 1930, a cookie was born in Massachusetts. The Toll House cookie's original recipe has become the stuff of legend. Over the years, we've developed some variations of our own.

And we're not alone. Even geeks bake cookies! W. Richard Stevens, well-known author of UNIX and TCP/IP text books, has another passion: chocolate chips. Here's his recipe and technique for the ultimate cookie.

Brownies & Blondies 

Our ">ultimate brownie forgoes the nuts for chocolate chunks. Or try ">heart-shaped brownies (and roll the leftovers into yummy truffle-like "bites").

Prefer yours to be the variant known as ">blondies? Whichever you choose, here's a ">no stick trick for storage.

Got Cookies to Share? 

Message Boards
Reader recipes are welcome on marthastewart.com. Join our recipe swap.
Cookie Swap
Host a cookie swap at the holidays... or anytime.
Packaging and Shipping Cookies
Package your goodies creatively for giving.

Where to Buy the Packaging 

Package your homemade goodies in tins, or in handmade boxes. Wrap them in corrugated wax paper, or fill festive bags with the delicious treats. Layer them into mailing tubes, and festoon it all with ribbons.

Books for Cooks... and Christmas 

Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook

Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook

Amazon Price: (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

Martha Stewart's Christmas: Entertaining, Decorating and Giving

Amazon Price: (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

Handmade Christmas: The Best of Martha Stewart Living

Amazon Price: (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

Classic Crafts and Recipes for the Holidays: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living

Amazon Price: (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

The Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook

Amazon Price: $24.75 (as of 11/01/2009) Buy Now

Still Can't Get Enough? 

More cookie techniques, help, trivia, and history.
Baking 911's Cookies 101
Still got questions?
Julia Child: Lessons with Master Chefs
Martha's mentor, Julia Child, with another great baker by her side.
The Way the Cookie Crumbles
The history of one of Martha's favorite cookies: the Madeleine.

Cookie Photos Online 

Personal cookie photos shared by Flickr members.

chocolate chip pumpkin cookies by jcestnik

chocolate chip pumpk...

Wild Things cookies by Apuch

Wild Things cookies

Wild Things cookies2 by Apuch

Wild Things cookies2

Carrol cookies by Apuch

Carrol cookies

baking by jcestnik

baking

baking by jcestnik

baking

automatically generated by Flickr

by mstewart

Martha and the team of expert bakers at Martha Stewart Living magazine have recently published Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, which includes many g...

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