What if I put too much or little baking powder in my cookies?

You're in for a cookie conundrum! Here's what can happen with too much or too little baking powder:

Too much baking powder:

* Overly puffy cookies: Your cookies will rise dramatically, potentially becoming too airy and crumbly.

* Uneven texture: The excess baking powder may cause some cookies to be significantly larger and more hollow than others.

* Bitter taste: Baking powder is slightly alkaline, and too much can impart a bitter flavor to your cookies.

Too little baking powder:

* Flat cookies: Your cookies won't rise much, resulting in flat, dense cookies.

* Tough cookies: The lack of leavening can make your cookies chewy and hard to bite through.

* Uneven baking: Some areas of the cookie may be undercooked while others are overcooked, resulting in an inconsistent texture.

What to do:

* Adjust the recipe: If you've added too much baking powder, you can try adding a bit more flour to balance the leavening.

* Don't panic: Unless you've added a significant amount of extra baking powder, your cookies will likely still be edible. You can simply enjoy them as they are or try to salvage them by adding a bit more flour to make them a little less crumbly.

* Learn from your mistake: Remember the amount of baking powder you used this time and be more careful next time!

Tips for baking powder success:

* Measure accurately: Use a measuring spoon and level it off with a straight edge.

* Check the expiration date: Baking powder loses its potency over time.

* Use the right type: There are different types of baking powder (single-acting and double-acting) and they react differently to heat. Use the type specified in your recipe.

No matter the outcome, remember that baking is all about experimentation! Enjoy the process and learn from your mistakes. You'll become a cookie expert in no time. 🍪