Why do I always scorch the first sheet of cookies?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

It never fails. :(

[xmas74]

1. Are you more vigilant after the first batch?

Do you have a gas oven?

Tell me about it. I'm a baker-maybe I can help a bit.

(edit: spelling really sucks after a long day!)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. I have a gas oven...

Usually I can tell by the smell of the cookies when they're done. But I always misjudge the first batch.

[xmas74]

11. Set the timer for your first batch

anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes earlier than it should take to finish them. It's always easier to add a minute or two on to finish them off than it is to have to scrape and throw away.

You are misjudging because your nose is not used to the smell of the cookies unless you make cookies every single day (like I do). And if the oven isn't preheated well the baking can be lopsided. Some parts of a gas oven are hotter than others.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. I've noticed that about my oven

and it seems to be getting worse as it gets older.

Whenever I do a roast, I have to rotate a quarter turn every so often to make it cook evenly.

How long does it take to pre-heat? I'm never sure because I don't have an idiot light on my oven.

[xmas74]

21. Anywhere from 10-20 minutes,

depending on your oven.

And cookie-wise; set the timer for half the time and then rotate the cookie sheet. Also, never put cookies on the top rack-they will sometimes burn.

[Burma Jones]

2. Because You hate America.....Duh...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. They were red, white, and blue, too...

Not really...They were peanut butter.

[xmas74]

14. Peanut butter sometimes doesn't mix as well.

Sometimes the oils from the peanut butter will separate. Make sure that it is thoroughly mixed all the way through. If the oil starts to separate then some might become scorched.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

19. I'll bet that's the primary problem with today's batch...

because they were worse than usual. The other two sheets turned out ok, but some of the cookies were a little unevenly baked. I probably should have kneaded the mix a bit before adding the egg, oil, and water...

Thanks for your expertise! :yourock:

[xmas74]

24. If need be,

use a sifter on a mix. Sometimes there are lumps that have sat too long in the box and do not easily break up w/ simple mixing. Or take two forks, place the dry mix in the bowl and cut the mix w/ the forks.

[In_The_Wind]

3. Aww

Maybe the oven is hotter as you start the first batch. :shrug:

[SiobhanClancy]

4. I do the same thing...

every time..and I am VIGILANT. I mean,I don't sit down while cookies are in the oven. I figure it's just the Evil Oven God demanding his sacrifice.

[xmas74]

5. Do you have a gas oven?

Really-this does make a difference. Do you use gas or electric?

[SiobhanClancy]

6. Electric now.....

but I had gas in the past. It does seem a bit worse with the electric,but it's only the first batch. All the other batches are fine. Quite tasty,actually:)

[xmas74]

9. Preheat the oven,

try turning it down a few degrees. Or set a timer for 3 minutes earlier.

It also might be that the top of the mix is not as well mixed as toward the bottom. Maybe there's not enough flour toward the top, causing the mix to be a bit runnier on top. That would bake quicker than a firmer mix.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. That's an interesting theory...

This was a mix. I usually make them from scratch.

[xmas74]

17. I get paid to bake cookies.

It could be any number of things.

BTW-I hate peanut butter mixes. Thinking about it-do you roll your peanut butter cookies in sugar? If the oil has separated at all it can actually scorch them w/ the sugar, almost carmelizing them.

I always lower my baking time for peanut butter cookies. And don't let them stay on the cookie sheet for more than a minute or two-they will keep baking on a hot cookie sheet.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. I don't think I'll buy this mix again...

They sure don't taste like Gramma's!

I'm going to bookmark this thread for reference the next time I bake cookies. Thanks again for your tips! :)

[xmas74]

25. Anytime.

A good suggestion would be to buy a hanging thermometer for your oven. Since it is an older oven it may not be heating up properly or baking evenly.

The thermometers are, in the long run, much cheaper than throwing out burned food! They hang on a rack and they can verify if your oven really is 350 degrees or if it at 425.

[texas1928]

8. I had a friend in San Diego who loved scorched cookies.

I don't know why?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. Mr GoG says he does

but I think he's just trying to be nice and avoid wasting them.

[MissMillie]

12. oven too hot?

:shrug:

[Extend a Hand]

16. I got one of those

air-bake cookie sheets and it helped keep mine from browning too much on the bottom.
Also, if you leave the cookies on the cookie sheet when you get it out of the oven
the bottoms of the cookies keep browning until the cookie sheet cools off-- so it helps
to take them off right away.

[xmas74]

20. I love Air-bakes!

And you are absolutely correct about leaving them on the cookie sheet-they will keep browning if left on a hot cookie sheet.

[Sequoia]

18. Oven still gearing up.

I always do it too.

[Ariana Celeste]

23. It sets you off into the baking groove, man.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

27. ...

:hug: Great 'tude!

[Ariana Celeste]

29. lol

thanks ;) :hug: Bake away! woot!

[politicat]

28. Have the oven calibrated and get a thermometer for it.

Knob controlled gas ovens are notoriously easy to get off. We had our old one calibrated once a year. (The new one is digital.)

That said, they're better than electrics for getting finicky.

And watch the first batch - don't do anything else. Your nose and your time sense needs to be calibrated, too.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. I've never had it calibrated...

and it's at least 25 years old. Think maybe it's time? :rofl:

[politicat]

31. Might help... *wink*

Shop around, though - the guy who does ours charges $35 flat, but when I had a plumber out for another issue and asked to have calibration added on, that shop wanted to charge almost 200 - plus a $45 service charge for just showing up.

Get estimates.