Testing Cookies for Doneness

When a recipe says to 'bake until done', that sounds like a specific instruction, but in reality you must learn what constitutes 'doneness', and use your own judgment. To one person, a bread that is dark golden brown and very crisp is 'done'. To another, light gold is the correct color, with a more moist interior.

Whatever your personal preference, there are standard doneness tests you must learn before you can begin experimenting. First of all, always begin checking your cakes, cookies, or breads at the earlier doneness time specified in the recipe. In fact, set the timer a few minutes earlier than the shortest baking time called for. You can always bake longer, but overbaked or burnt products are ruined!

Doneness Tests for Cookies

• Always take cookies out of the oven before they are done. Cookies usually cool on a baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before removing. The residual heat from the cookie sheet will continue baking the cookies, so if the cookies don't look quite done in the center, they will finish baking in this short time.
  
  
• Cookies should be evenly golden in color.
  
  
• When cookies look done, they are done. You can use the fingertip test, but you'll usually be able to tell they are done just by looking at them. Make sure to follow the doneness instructions in the recipe.
  
  
• Brownies are usually considered done when you 'observe a dry, shiny crust'