Do you need spray cooking for chocolate chip cookies?

Spray cooking, also commonly referred to as cooking spray or oil spray, is often recommended when baking to grease baking pans and prevent baked goods from sticking to the surface. In the context of chocolate chip cookies, spray cooking can be useful in two ways:

1. Greasing the Baking Sheet: Spraying a light coating of cooking spray onto the baking sheet before placing the cookie dough helps prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan. Once baked, the cookies will release easily from the sheet.

2. Preventing Excess Spreading: Some chocolate chip cookie recipes tend to spread a lot during baking, resulting in flatter, thinner cookies. Spraying a very light mist of cooking spray directly onto the cookie dough mounds before baking can help create a barrier that slows down the spreading, leading to thicker cookies.

However, it's essential to use cooking spray sparingly, as too much oil can interfere with the texture and crispiness of the cookies. A light, even mist is usually enough to achieve the desired effects without compromising the quality of the cookies.

If you don't have spray cooking on hand, you can use regular cooking oil to grease the baking sheet. Simply brush or rub a small amount of oil onto the surface using a pastry brush or your fingers.

Remember, the purpose of using cooking spray or oil when baking chocolate chip cookies is primarily to prevent sticking and assist in maintaining the desired shape. It is not a necessary ingredient and can be omitted if you prefer not to use it. Experimenting with both methods will help you determine what works best for your cookie recipe and personal preferences.