Parchment Paper is Da Bomb

[jpskewedthrone]

So, today I finally got the energy to make the sugar cookies. I'd made the dough during the massive baking push last Sunday, but finals got in the way of making the cookies themselves. Anyway, making cutout sugar cookies is usually a pain in the ass, because you have to roll them out, cut them out, then move them to the baking tray. This "moving to the baking tray" is harder than it sounds. Typically, the freshly cut cookie falls apart on the way from the floured counter to the tray. Or at best, the gingerbread man looses and arm or leg and you perform cookie surgery to piece him back together.

But today I had an epiphany. Parchment paper! I'm sure every other baker in the world already knows this, but I'm happy I figured this out myself. (Or ashamed I never thought of it earlier. I haven't decided yet.)

In any case, today, I rolled the dought out onto parchment paper, then cut the cookies out on the parchment paper, and then just slid the parchment paper with the cookies still on it onto the baking tray.

Perfect cookies. No surgery necessary. No mutilated stars or Christmas trees or doves or snowmen. My snowflakes actually look like snowflakes!

I'm extremely excited and no longer fear making sugar cookies!

ETA: However, I must keep in mind that in my excitement over this breakthrough, and in the process of writing it up on LJ, I cannot forget that cookies are actually still in the oven and are now burning.

Comments

[meijhen.livejournal.com]

I agree, I remember how excited I was about this tip when I learned about it!
Silpat mats are even better (in some cases), although the expense may not be worth it if you don't bake a whole lot. And it also depends on the cookie cutters you use -- the silicone mats are tough, but they can still be damaged!

[wldhrsjen3.livejournal.com]

Indeed! ;)

Have fun with the cookies!

[sistercoyote.livejournal.com]

However, I must keep in mind that in my excitement over this breakthrough, and in the process of writing it up on LJ, I cannot forget that cookies are actually still in the oven and are now burning.

Hee.

[ruralwriter.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the other nice use of parchment paper! When your cookies have finished baking (or, in your case, burning), you simply slide the parchment paper off and onto a cooling rack, and voila!

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

I cannot forget that cookies are actually still in the oven and are now burning

*laughs*

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Who let you in on it? We weren't going to tell you!

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

And here I thought Foxtrot cookies were a tradition passed from parent to child to friend to random stranger.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

No burning! Much better to have maimed Christmas cookies to eat than burned once only fit for dogs.

Shall think about trying this technique myself when I bake on Sunday.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

Baking parchment is indeed a substance full of awesome. I've never tried this particular use of it, but will certainly do so next time! Like you, I can't quite believe I've never thought of it before...

[lisa-bouchard.livejournal.com]

It's a brilliant idea! Sadly, I've run out of parchment paper before I've run out of dough.

I can't believe I'll have to go to the grocery store tomorrow, 2 days before Christmas. If I don't make it back, send in some really handsome Marines.

[hkneale.livejournal.com]

Yes. Welcome to the world of parchment paper.

Also observe the cookie sheet that doesn't need washing.