You’ve just made what (you thought) was the perfect batch of cookies, but when they cool, you realize you’ve accidentally made something more akin to hockey pucks.
Learning how to soften cookies and how to fix dry cookies is a bit of a science and a bit of an art form, but part of it also depends on how far gone your cookie is.
If you just want to know how to keep cookies soft or prevent them from hardening, then you’re much more in luck because it’s way easier to prevent them hardening than to bring them back from hockey puck central.
However, figuring out how to fix cookies that are dry is always worth a shot, so we’ve compiled some of the best tips for secret hacks to try.
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1. Store with Bread in Airtight Container
Storing your cookies with a half a slice of white bread in an airtight container might sound odd, but it’s one of the most recommended ways to soften cookies and to keep cookies soft.
What eventually happens is that the moisture from the bread should transfer to the cookies, ensuring that you’re left with a longer use by date for the cookies and that the softness we all crave in our cookies doesn’t leave you prematurely.
This can also be a great way to soften cookies that are already hard.
Some people say to replace the bread once a day, while others complain that this makes their cookies taste like bread, but plenty of people do it with success so experiment with different types of breads and containers until you find what works for you.
Must-Have Baking Tools (seriously)
- Silicone baking mats – I use this brand and my cookies slide right off without burning!
- a cookie scoop – get this one. It makes the perfect rounded cookies every time!
- silicone spatula – try this set. It’s the best way to get the most out of your dough and batters
- rolling pin guides – I use this one. Genius way to roll your dough out evenly!
2. Store with Sugar Cube in Airtight Container
Here’s another perhaps “old wives tale” type baking trick that you can try if you don’t have a slice of bread.
Try storing your cookies with a sugar cube in an airtight container.
With this trick, you’re trying to use the sugar cubs to absorb moisture in the container, which helps prevent your cookies from going stale (and thus, hard).
Just throw in a couple of sugar cubes with your cookies and enjoy.
The bonus is that you definitely won’t get a change in your cookie flavor using this method like some people mention in the bread method.
3. Store with a Slice of Apple in Airtight Container
Another one of those, “are you sure this works?” tips is to put a couple of slices of apple together with your cookies in an airtight container and leave it overnight.
The cookies should absorb the moisture from the apple as it humidifies the air in the container, thus leaving you with softer cookies than when you put them in!
Like baking, but in reverse!
4. Microwave for a Few Seconds
Plenty of people opt to microwave their cookies in order to try and make them soft again, and if you don’t really feel like dealing with bread or apples in containers and just want the easiest way to soften cookies, this is for you.
Pop the cookie on a plate or paper towel and put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds (carrying on at short intervals if it’s working).
This is going to make your cookie, usually, a bit softer, but it’s going to immediately harden again as it cools (sometimes harder than when you put it in), so this is a better trick if you want to eat that cookie straight out of the microwave.
5. Microwave for 15-20 Seconds with Damp Paper Towel
If you’ve got a bit more patience but still want to try the microwave trick, use a damp paper towel over your cookie (hello moisture, yes please) and microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.
This works better than the “nuke a cookie for a few seconds and then try to shovel it in your mouth as fast as possible” approach, but takes just a smidge of extra effort.
Well worth it, though!
Again, the microwave methods are really best if you eat that cookie straight away instead of letting it harden again as it cools.
