Making perfect cookies is an art. You have to ensure that you add the ingredients carefully and follow all the steps to get the perfect cookies.
While cookies have many staple ingredients, flour is the most important.
The best flour for most cookie recipes is undoubtedly all-purpose flour. However, there are many other options you can use in case you don’t have all-purpose flour.
Let’s check out the best flour options to make cookies.
5 Best Flours for Making Cookies
All-Purpose Flour
This is a standard in most cookie recipes, and for a good reason. All-purpose flour has a balanced protein content (10-12%) that provides the right cookie structure without making them too tough. It’s versatile and produces cookies with a classic texture.
Pros: Readily available, versatile, produces balanced texture.
Cons: Less nutritious, not gluten-free, not specialized for any specific texture.
Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour lends a nutty and slightly sweet flavor to cookies. It has more fiber and nutrients than all-purpose flour because it contains whole grains, including bran, germ, and endosperm.
Pros: Nutritious, adds a unique flavor, higher in fiber.
Cons: Heavier texture may alter classic cookie flavor, but the dough can be harder to work with.
Almond Flour
This flour is made from ground almonds and is a popular choice for those following a gluten-free or low-carb diet. It has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and can create a tender, delicate cookie crumb.
Pros: Gluten-free, high in protein, imparts a unique flavor.
Cons: Expensive cookies may be crumbly, resulting in a denser texture.
Oat Flour
Oat flour is made from ground oats and is a healthful alternative that can be used to make cookies. It imparts a mild, slightly sweet flavor, resulting in a tender, slightly chewy texture.
Pros: Adds a hint of sweetness, is high in fiber and can be gluten-free (if certified).
Cons: Can yield a chewy texture, not as easily available, may affect rising.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a soft flour made from dried coconut meat, and it’s a favorite among keto, paleo, and gluten-free dieters. It has a light coconut flavor and absorbs much liquid, resulting in a dense, soft texture in baked goods.
Pros: Gluten-free, high in fiber, unique flavor.
Cons: Requires more liquid, can result in dry baked goods, may not suit all taste preferences.
What does Flour do in Cookies?
Flour is a key ingredient in cookies and serves multiple critical functions. It provides the structural framework for the cookies. The proteins in flour combine to form gluten when mixed with liquids, giving the cookie dough elasticity and strength.
The amount of protein in the flour can greatly affect the texture of the cookies – more protein can result in a chewier texture, while less protein tends to yield a more tender, crumbly cookie. Additionally, the starch in the flour helps to provide thickness and contributes to the browning of the cookies when baked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter what flour you use in cookies?
Yes, it does matter. Different flours have varying protein content, affecting the cookies’ texture. For example, all-purpose flour yields a standard cookie texture, while bread flour produces chewier cookies.
Can I use cake flour for making cookies?
Yes, you can. Cake flour has a lower protein content, which results in cookies with a lighter, more tender texture.
Can I use self-rising flour for cookies?
It depends on the recipe. Self-rising flour has added leavening agents that can affect the rise and texture of the cookies. It can be used if adjustments are made for these agents.
What happens if I use bread flour in cookies?
Bread flour has a higher protein content, resulting in more gluten formation. This will yield chewier and denser cookies than those made with all-purpose flour.
Which flour is best for chocolate chip cookies?
All-purpose flour is typically the best choice for chocolate chip cookies as it provides a balanced texture and flavor, but you can also experiment with different flours to tweak the texture and taste.
How to bake soft cookies?
For softer cookies, bake at a higher temperature for a shorter time. This makes the cookies spread less and stay thicker, resulting in a softer texture.
What to do with cookies that don’t bake well?
Cookies that haven’t baked well can be crumbled and used as a base for desserts like cheesecakes, parfaits, or mixed into ice cream for extra flavor and texture.
Can I mix whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour to make cookies?
Absolutely, mixing the two can give your cookies a boost in fiber and nutrients from the whole wheat flour while maintaining some of the lightness and tenderness from the all-purpose flour.
Which other things can I bake with all-purpose flour?
All-purpose flour is extremely versatile. You can bake bread, muffins, pancakes, cakes, scones, and other baked goods.
How to measure flour exactly for cookies?
Use a spoon to fluff up the flour within the container for accurate measurement. Then spoon the flour into the measuring cup without packing it down. Level off the excess with the back of a knife.
