Why Did My Cookies Spread Too Much?

Q: Why did my cookies spread too much?

Cookies spread when the butter melts before they set — usually warm dough, over-creaming, or too much raising agent. Here's how to fix it.

Short answer: usually warm dough, over-creamed butter, or too much raising agent.

Spread comes from butter melting before the cookie can set. The three common culprits: dough that went into a hot oven too warm (chill it first — this is the big one), butter and sugar creamed too long so there’s excess air, or a heavy hand with the bicarbonate of soda. A too-hot or dark tray does it too. Chill the scooped dough for at least 30 minutes, cream only until just combined, and measure your raising agent carefully.