What happens if you add salt to cookies?

Adding salt to cookies might seem counterintuitive, but it actually plays a crucial role in their flavor and texture:

Flavor:

* Enhances sweetness: Salt intensifies the perception of sweetness, making your cookies taste even sweeter without adding more sugar.

* Balances flavors: Salt helps to balance the sweetness of the cookies and creates a more complex flavor profile. It can also bring out the subtle nuances of other ingredients like chocolate or vanilla.

* Adds depth: A tiny pinch of salt can add a savory note that complements the overall flavor of the cookies.

Texture:

* Improves spread: Salt helps to strengthen the gluten in the flour, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. This results in cookies with a more defined shape and a chewy texture.

* Enhances browning: Salt promotes the Maillard reaction, which is responsible for the browning and crust formation of cookies. This creates a more golden and appealing color.

In summary, adding salt to cookies:

* Enhances sweetness and flavor complexity

* Balances flavors

* Adds savory depth

* Improves texture and chewiness

* Promotes browning

While a little salt goes a long way, adding too much can make your cookies taste salty. Start with a pinch and adjust to your preference.