How do you melt cookies?

You can't really melt cookies in the traditional sense of melting solid ingredients like chocolate or butter. Cookies are already baked and have a complex structure that doesn't readily melt.

However, you can soften them up to make them more pliable for certain uses:

Here are a few ways to soften cookies:

* Microwave: Place cookies in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short bursts of 5-10 seconds, checking frequently. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can burn easily.

* Oven: Preheat oven to a low temperature (around 200°F/90°C). Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until they are slightly softened. This method is gentler than the microwave.

* Steam: Place cookies in a steamer basket over boiling water for a few minutes. This method is effective but requires a steamer.

Why would you want to soften cookies?

* Crumbling for desserts: Softened cookies are easier to crumble for making cookie crumb crusts, cheesecakes, or other desserts.

* Melting for cookie dough balls: You can soften cookies and mix them with cream cheese or other ingredients to create cookie dough balls. These are fun treats that are easier to make than traditional cookie dough.

* Reconstituting for eating: If you have hard, stale cookies, softening them can make them more enjoyable to eat.

Important Note: These methods will soften the cookies, but they will not melt them into a liquid form like chocolate.