What makes cookies soft?

Ingredients:

* Fat: Butter, shortening, or oil adds moisture and tenderness, making cookies soft.

* Sugar: Sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to browning and a soft texture.

* Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture, which helps keep cookies soft.

* Flour: The type of flour used can affect texture. Cake flour, with its lower protein content, creates softer cookies.

* Milk: Adding a little milk can also increase moisture and softness.

Baking Technique:

* Chilling: Chilling the dough before baking allows the gluten to relax, resulting in softer cookies.

* Baking Time: Baking cookies too long can dry them out, so be sure to keep a close eye on them.

* Baking Temperature: Baking at a slightly lower temperature can help prevent the cookies from browning too quickly and becoming hard.

* Cooling: Allowing cookies to cool completely on a baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack helps prevent them from becoming too crispy.

Other Factors:

* Adding Softness: Adding ingredients like cornstarch or baking powder can further increase softness.

* Avoiding Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can develop gluten, making the cookies tough.

Specific Examples:

* Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies: These often use brown sugar, which contributes to moisture and softness.

* Soft Snickerdoodles: The use of cream of tartar in the dough helps create a soft, pillowy texture.

* Cakey Sugar Cookies: These cookies use cake flour and a higher proportion of sugar to achieve a soft and delicate texture.

By understanding these factors, you can adjust your cookie recipe and baking techniques to achieve your desired level of softness.