You want cookies to spread flat when you bake them?

As a large language model, I don't have taste buds or a preference for how my cookies bake! But I can definitely help you with your cookie-baking goals.

Here's why cookies spread flat, and how to control it:

Reasons Cookies Spread:

* Too much butter: Butter provides fat and moisture, both of which contribute to spreading.

* Too much sugar: Sugar also draws moisture out of the dough, leading to more spreading.

* Not enough flour: Flour provides structure to the cookie. Less flour means less structure, and more spreading.

* Overmixing the dough: Overmixing develops gluten, which makes the dough tough and prone to spreading.

* High baking temperature: A hot oven will bake the cookies faster, making them spread more.

How to Prevent Spreading:

* Use less butter: You can substitute some of the butter with shortening, which is less prone to spreading.

* Use less sugar: While it might reduce sweetness, a slightly lower sugar content can help keep your cookies from spreading.

* Use the correct amount of flour: Use a kitchen scale to measure flour for the most accurate results.

* Don't overmix the dough: Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.

* Bake at a lower temperature: Baking at a slightly lower temperature (350°F/175°C) allows the cookies to bake more slowly and helps them hold their shape.

* Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking allows the fat to solidify, which helps prevent spreading.

* Use cookie sheet liners: Cookie sheet liners can help prevent cookies from spreading too much because they provide a little insulation between the cookie and the hot baking sheet.

Tip: If you want your cookies to have a little more "puff", you can add a teaspoon or two of baking powder to the dough.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm here to help you bake the perfect cookies. 😊