Ask the Test Kitchen: How Do I Keep My Cookies From Turning Out Flat?

Cynthia V. asked us on Facebook: "How do I keep my chocolate chip cookies from turning out flat?"

The test cooks at America's Test Kitchen answer your cooking questions straight from the kitchen.

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[RainRaifu]

Interesting, i have had such varied results and i have never been able to put my finger on why sometimes my gingersnaps come out flat and shitty.

[permafrost]

ok, thank you for the weighing ingredients tip; but what do i do if the recipe is giving me the ingredients' volume? what weight am i looking for?

[tasteheaven]

As a professional baker and caterer, I know that baking powder will help cookies raise. Baking soda will too, if coupled with an acid to assist in raising, but will also cause cookies to spread. The tips shared here work, too, but look at your recipe and see if cutting back on the baking soda will help.