Home » Food & Cooking

Martha's Cookies 101

46 Like

Like 46

Pin It

Ranked #7,187 in Food & Cooking, #131,437 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?

Soft and Chewy: Oatmeal Raisin
Crispy and Crunchy: Stained-Glass Trees
Light and Delicate: Cherry Tuiles
Crumbly and Sandy: Lime Meltaways
Cakey and Tender: Chocolate Surprise Cookies
Rich and Dense: Truffle Brownies
Chunky and Nutty: Rocky Ledge Bars
Or... get 133 favorite cookie recipes of all textures
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

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.