Everyone loves a warm, freshly baked cookie. Baking cookies can go wrong very quickly, however, if you do not know a few tips. Whether you are a seasoned baker or you are just starting out, there are always ways to improve your cookie game and make sure the batch is perfect every time. Here are five expert tips to help you bake the perfect cookies.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
One key factor for perfect cookies is the temperature of the ingredients when they are combined. Cold ingredients, especially butter and eggs, can result in uneven mixing and an odd texture. On the other hand, ingredients that are too warm can affect your cookies negatively, too. To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly, set your ingredients out at least half an hour before you start baking so they can come to room temperature.
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Do Not Overmix the Dough
Overmixing your cookie dough can result in tough, chewy cookies. To avoid this, only mix your dough until the ingredients are just combined. If you are using a hand mixer or a spoon, it is easier to stop at the perfect point. If you are using a stand mixer, mix at the lowest setting and do not leave it unattended, so that you can see when the dough has been mixed for the perfect amount of time.
Pay Attention to the Baking Time
The amount of time your cookies spend in the oven is crucial. Underbaked cookies will be soft and doughy, while overbaked cookies will be hard and crunchy. To ensure your cookies are baked perfectly, you should set a timer and check on them regularly. Do not open the oven when you check your cookies, as this lets the heat out and can contribute to uneven baking. Instead, use the light inside your oven to see if your cookies are golden brown.
Experiment with Toppings
One way to elevate your cookies is by adding in extra ingredients, such as nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. You can also try adding in some fun toppings to make delicious cookies, such as m&m cookies everyone will love. Candy and sprinkles can add an extra pop of color and flavor, while nuts can add a satisfying crunch. You can also combine toppings, such as toffee and Himalayan salt, for even more delicious cookies!
Store Cookies Properly
Proper storage is crucial to keep your cookies fresh and delicious. To store cookies, let them cool completely and then transfer them to an airtight container. Leave them on the counter or in the fridge. You can also freeze your cookies if you would like them to last longer by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy your cookies, simply thaw them at room temperature or in the microwave.
Baking the perfect cookies is all about paying attention to the details. Many people do not consider many of these tips, especially when it comes to letting your ingredients come to the right temperature or not overmixing the dough, but these are the things that will make your cookies just right, every time. With a little practice and patience, you will be well on your way to becoming a cookie pro in no time!
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Even if you’re exercising and eating a balanced diet, you can still feel unhealthy if you aren’t getting the right amount of sleep. Unfortunately, that’s not easy to achieve.
With life as busy as it is and stimulus everywhere you look, it can be difficult to switch off and relax. Here are some must-dos for getting the sleep you need every night.
Avoid Caffeine
Having your fresh cup of coffee to wake you up first thing in the morning is fine. However, continuing to drink coffee throughout the rest of the day can play havoc on your system. You should especially avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and early evening.
Too much caffeine may mean that you can’t fall asleep at night, even when you feel tired. Caffeine keeps you too stimulated to rest well.
A Good Bed
You won’t sleep well if you’re uncomfortable during the night because you haven’t got a good bed. If you’re waking up in the morning and you still feel unrested or your body is aching, you may need a new bed or new mattress. If you’re purchasing a new bed, look for the best smart bed.
A smart bed can have multiple features. For instance, it may be infused memory foam or it could have a cooling mattress. Most smart beds have features that perfectly suit the user to ensure your sleeping conditions are exactly what you need.
Turn Off Devices
An hour before you intend on going to bed, switch off all of your devices. Using devices just before you go to bed will often mean you’ll take longer to relax. Avoid using your computer, scrolling through social media, or doing any online shopping.
Using devices before going to sleep can also affect your eyes. The bright lights of screens can stimulate your brain enough to keep it stimulated at a time when you want to rest.
Avoid Naps
Most people hit a point in the day, usually mid-afternoon, where it becomes tougher to carry on. It’s tempting to lay down and take a nap but this can result in worsening your night’s sleep. Napping may mean that you’re unable to sleep well in the evening and find yourself awake until the early hours of the morning.
Try and push through those couple of hours where you feel sluggish throughout the day and you’ll rest better at night.
Watch What You Eat
It’s important to be mindful of your evening meal. If you eat too much before going to bed, you may be too uncomfortable to rest well. However, if you eat too little, you could be too hungry to sleep.
Eat a healthy and balanced meal at least two hours before you go to bed so your body has enough time to properly digest your meal.
If you’ve found this article helpful, take a look at the rest.
I was looking forward to sharing this fab recipe from our sponsor Sarah at Body Balance 365. It is the perfect morning treat and who says that being dairy and gluten-free means you cannot still enjoy your favorite baked goods? This bread is full of healthy Vitamin C, E, and K from the cranberries, you should probably make two loaves. Merry Christmas Everyone!!! xo
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Bob’s Red Mill almond flour
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, at room temperature (not cold)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil, or vegan butter
- ½ cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 large orange
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup diced fresh cranberries (or sub dried cranberries)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 1/2 x 4 ½ loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: eggs, honey, melted coconut oil, orange juice, orange zest, and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon to combine. Fold in diced cranberries and walnuts. Add batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread out evenly, smoothing the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool completely in the pan before removing it.
It’s that time of year again….New Year’s Eve festive dressing time!!! Here is an awesome round-up of great outfits!! It’s your time to shine……
- These are my go-to sandals. They are perfect with all outfits, jeans, white jeans, long and short dresses.
- How cute are these feather pants?
- I love this sequin blouse!!
- I have these multi-colored sequin earrings. They are so festive!
- This gold dress is fabulous!!!
- This cardigan with jeweled buttons is fabulous!!
- I tried this bow dress on and it could not be cuter!!
- I love these red earrings.
- And these pearl drops too!
- I have been looking for platform gold sandals forever!
- I bought this top and it’s amazing. I wore mine with leather pants!!
- This is the sweetest top!!
- I also love this green dress.
- The perfect pair of velvet pants.
- I also love this top…..the gold and pink combo is sooo pretty…
If you’re ready to have more energy and be happy and healthy then it’s up to you to modify your habits for the better. The good news is that there are practical ways to make improvements to how you’re living currently that will make a big difference in how you feel.
Avoid making and focusing on the reasons or excuses for why you can’t change and instead put effort into the areas that are in your control. Live a healthier lifestyle and feel great with these tips and pieces of advice.
Address Health Concerns & Ailments
You should avoid putting off health concerns and ailments for another day. Instead, address them head-on and determine what the culprit is and the best course of treatment for you. In this case, it’s important you secure a primary care doctor through practices such as https://www.inspire-texas.com/plano/ so they can take a look at you and you can work together to feel better fast. If you let certain issues drag on for too long they may turn into more significant and uncomfortable problems down the road.
Challenge Your Body & Move More
Exercising daily should be at the top of your to-do list if you want to live a healthier lifestyle. Challenge your body and muscles by mixing up your workouts and doing cardio as well as some weight lifting. In addition, you should make it a point to move more throughout the day. Reduce screen time and sitting time and get and stay on your feet more often. Be and stay physically active and increase your heart rate while also taking the time to track the number of steps you take daily to keep up with recommendations from health experts.
Closely Monitor Your Diet
It’s not just about moving your body more but also about what you eat when it comes to staying healthy. Closely monitor your diet by journaling your food intake and reducing your sugar and alcohol intake. It may help you to get into the habit of cooking for yourself at home so you have more control over the ingredients and your portion sizes. It’s also important that you drink plenty of water and are hydrated. Be patient because it can be difficult to eat differently but once you start taking in more of the right foods you’ll have more energy, can lose weight, and will feel your best.
Get Enough Sleep Each Night
Not enough sleep can lead to low energy and motivation levels as well as other health issues. You may feel tired and sluggish daily and be moodier when you are lacking sleep. Therefore, you can live a healthier lifestyle and feel great by going to bed at a decent hour. Get enough and better sleep each night by creating a comfortable bedroom and sleep environment and trying to stay on a sleep schedule. It will also help you feel more tired and you’ll be ready for bed when you are active during the day and limit your screen time right before bedtime. Instead, read a book, drink a cup of warm tea, or take a bath.
Aging is inevitable; thus, bodily functions keep happening at their pace. It is natural for human beings to think of all the things that might occur in their body due to aging. Generally, it is the significant health challenges such as heart disease or diabetes that come to a person’s mind.
However, it would help if you did not forget that your bones are living tissues meaning that your body breaks down and rebuilds a new bone throughout your life. As you age, the body begins to lose more bone mass than it produces, thus, reducing the strength in your bones.
Therefore, like other health issues, you must also be aware of osteoporosis. It would help if you consciously build bone strength as you age. You’re on the right page if you’re looking for tips to keep strong bones in older age. This article mentions some practical tips to ensure your bone health. Read on!
Get a Health Checkup
Bone strength reduces mainly after the age of 35 in men and women. Therefore, getting a complete health checkup is suggested after entering your thirties. The doctors will be able to guide you accordingly in your health journey. These days, telemedicine has made it even easier to get treatment for any health issues.
For instance, many men struggle with low testosterone, which directly impacts bone health. So, if your symptoms and health reports suggest so, your doctor can recommend the proper treatment for you according to your current health status.
One of the most common treatments is TRT for men, which includes medicines and supplements to increase testosterone levels in the body and reduce the harmful side effects. Likewise, for women, there could be low hemoglobin, hormonal imbalance, and other issues that need treatment to ensure more muscular bone health in the later stages.
Increase Your Vitamin D intake
Vitamin D plays a significant role in strengthening your bones. Unfortunately, lifestyle changes have made it harder to absorb natural vitamin D. Most of the time; people stay indoors, work late, or have no time to spare for their health.
However, you must increase your vitamin D intake at the right time. A lack of Vitamin D means your body will take calcium from the bones, thus reducing strength. Also, it can refrain your body from making new bones.
Therefore, you must consume at least 600 IU of vitamin D daily. Moreover, you should consult your doctor to nullify any underlying disease caused due to lack of Vitamin D. They may also give you the right supplements considering your health reports.
Workout to strengthen muscles
There are not enough words to emphasize the importance of exercise in your daily life. It helps strengthen muscles and bones and maintain balance in the body. With regular training, you can also prevent fractures and promote the development of new bones.
You can pursue any exercise, but it is better to consider speaking with a personal trainer and getting personalized workout plans to achieve your health goals. If you can not go to the gym, you can follow a home workout routine with minimal props.
In addition, several online programs run classes on different platforms for their audience so that you can join them too. Also, you do not have to exercise for 2 hours; a minimum of 20-390 minutes for five days a week shall be helpful. Ensure that you do strength training to build your body’s mass health.
Cut Back on Toxic Habits
They are called toxic habits for a reason. Many people are addicted to alcohol and smoking in their lives. They do not understand how adversely these habits are affecting their bodies.
Smoking augments your risk of lung cancer but also heightens osteoporosis risk because it slows down the growth of bone-producing cells. Likewise, alcohol can also weaken your bones. More so, it increases the risk of falls, thereby fractures. Hence, according to the Centers for Disease Control, moderation is the key to a healthy life.
However, if you are an addict, it is better to consult a rehab center to eliminate the toxic habit. Excess of nicotine or alcohol is not healthy for the body. So, take control of your health and make the required changes.
Bottom Line
It is significant to understand that taking care of your bone health is essential, especially after your 40s. Several factors, such as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle measures, affect bone density in humans. Therefore, you must get regular health checkups and consciously make efforts to improve your bone density.