Cookie Secrets 1.

Since I've been elbow deep in cookies lately, I thought I'd share some of my cookie making secrets with you. The first topic is tools. You need good tools for any project.

• Silpat - It's the magical French baking tray insert. The silicon pad goes a long way towards preventing cookie burns. They are spendy, but you can save $5 if you get one from Linens N Things with one of their 5$ off coupons. (Or Bed, Bath and Beyond. They accept each other's coupons, and have practically the same inventory.) I recommend getting 2, so you can always have some cookies in the oven.
• Baking tray - just get something over sized enough to fit the Silpat. The trays without lips work well. Get as many as you have Silpats.
• Mixer - OK, you could use a wooden spoon, but this isn't the dark ages. Use an electric mixer! The best is the KitchenAid stand mixer. Another thing that's soo worth the money.
• Cooling Racks - Yup. You need these. When a recipe says 'cool completely' it means it. I've got some nice stackable ones, but any cooling racks will do. You'll need about 2 racks for each batch of cookies.
• Baking Powder / Soda / Cream of Tartar - Do yourself a favor and go look at these in your pantry now. If yours are more than a year old, go buy new ones. You'll be sorry if you didn't, when your cookies come out all sad looking and flat.

Well, that's it for now. More tips later. Happy shopping!

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