What in a cookie makes it come out good?

* The right balance of ingredients. This includes the proper ratio of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and leavening agents.

* Creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the mixture, which helps the cookies to rise and become light and tender.

* Using the right type of flour. All-purpose flour is the most common flour used for cookies, but you can also use bread flour or cake flour. Bread flour will produce a chewier cookie, while cake flour will produce a lighter, more tender cookie.

* Chilling the dough before baking. This helps the cookies to keep their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.

* Baking the cookies at the right temperature. The ideal temperature for baking cookies is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Taking the cookies out of the oven when they are just done. Overcooking the cookies will make them dry and crumbly.