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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,823
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

There's a chocolate chip cookie recipe I want to try, but it calls for an ingredient I've never seen in cookie recipes. Just 1 tsp. of corn starch is needed. Not having any in my pantry, I looked online for substitutions, but they all have to do with thickening sauces (like arrow root, flour & mashed potatoes), and nothing to do with baking. Would any of you bakers know the purpose of corn starch in baking?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,130
Registered: ‎06-13-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

I read on several sites that it helps make them light and chewy by softening the proteins in the flour.🥰 It makes a softer cookie dough! This sounds perfect for chocolate chip cookies!

 

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,107
Registered: ‎03-17-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

That's what I understand as well.. it helps make the cookie softer and stop it from spreading too much while cooking. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,867
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

I've seen cornstarch in  Crumbl Cookies dupe recipes.

 

As others have said it's to produce a taller, more dense cookie. 

 

Most Crumbl dupes also suggest using cold, cubed butter instead of softened butter.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,823
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

@Snowpuppy now I have to look up Crumbi cookies. I've never heard that term.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,669
Registered: ‎10-09-2023

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

Interesting, have not seen a teaspoon of cornstarch in a cookie recipe before. My go to waffle recipe combines flour and cornstarch which basically is the mix for cake flour.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 200
Registered: ‎10-06-2012

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?


@SaveTheTurtles wrote:

Interesting, have not seen a teaspoon of cornstarch in a cookie recipe before. My go to waffle recipe combines flour and cornstarch which basically is the mix for cake flour.


 

Yes. You can add cornstarch to regular flour to make cake flour. Probably the reason for the cornstarch in the cookie recipe. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,867
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

[ Edited ]

@AuntG wrote:

@Snowpuppy now I have to look up Crumbi cookies. I've never heard that term.


Crumbl Cookies are hugely popular and sold in their stand alone stores. No stores near where I live so I was searching for dupe recipes to make at home. 

 

They are similar to Levain Bakery cookies in NYC. They are large, dense and people stand in line for them. Levain will ship for those who miss the NYC vibe.😊

Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,153
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

Yeah, cornstarch would make a softer flour and give you a more tender cookie. 

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,528
Registered: ‎07-18-2015

Re: Bakers! Why would a cookie recipe call for cornstarch?

@AuntG 

Good question. Someone rec using a bit of his to me when I was trying to find how how to make my frosting thicker and more stable. I used some in the frostings and it worked very well.

BTW, the corn starch, lasts forever.

So I keep it the pantry. No exp.date....

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