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Original poster

To ask why my cookies always wind up flat and my cakes never rise??

29 replies

CakeKiller · 27/10/2024 09:52

I don't get it. I follow the recipe to a T and expect lovely chunky cookies, yet they always spread out and go flat. I'm doing everything I should - the butter isn't too soft, I don't overmix, I chill the dough, I've even tried rolling them into balls and freezing before baking - but they never wind up like the ones I can buy at a bakery.

I used to make great cakes too, but now they just sink! Again, I'm following the recipe and I've recently replaced my baking powder and bicarb of soda in case that was the problem, but they still dont rise. Banana bread is about the only thing I make that does rise - everything else rises a bit and then sinks.

I did wonder if the oven was a problem and bought an oven thermometer to check if it was getting up to temperature and it is. It can't be the recipe as the same thing happens with any cake I make, apart from he aforementioned banana bread. That's made with oil and the cakes and cookies with butter but surely that couldn't be the reason?

OP posts:
ButtSurgery · 27/10/2024 10:18

How fresh is the flour? What pans are you using - metal or silicone?

Spondoolies · 27/10/2024 10:16

Can you make the mixture then try cooking them at a friend/neighbours house then you can see if it is the oven at fault

larkstar · 27/10/2024 10:11

Are you using the correct flour, i.e. self raising (or plain of you are adding raising agents)? Also, is the flour in date? Intermittently I get bread from my break makers that's not as good as normal and it's down to either the yeast or the flour being too old - I changed one of the other and the problem goes away. Is everything being kept in a dry environment - it's a problem if they get damp.

I always cook with room temperature eggs and butter. I do 99% of the baking in our house - my wife always says her cakes never written out as well at mine and I think/suspect that's down to the fact that I'm quicker at getting the mix into the preheated oven from the time I've added the eggs mainly because I'm strong enough to mix by hand - my wife always seems to take too long to do the mixing on heavier cakes where you can't use an electric whisk.

You've done all the right things by making sure the raising agents are fresh. Is the oven thermostat faulty - maybe the temperature is dropping at some point during the bake?

Frustratedfatty · 27/10/2024 10:11

I think you have probably been cursed. Are there any old ladies living near you that have cats?