How to Tell When Sugar Cookies are Done

Sugar cookie cutouts often call for baking until the edges are firm or set. Your sugar cookies should be set (not brown) and no longer appear soft and melty.

The Light Brown Bottom Test

For sugar cookies and pale cookie recipes, such as Christmas sandies and thumbprint cookies, light brown bottoms can be used as a doneness test. To check, gently lift an edge of a cookie from the cookie sheet using a spatula and peek at the bottom.

How to Tell When Oatmeal Cookies are Done

Many drop cookie recipes, including oatmeal cookies, specify baking until the edges are golden or light brown, with the centers appearing set (not jiggly and raw). Look for these characteristics to determine doneness.

How to Tell When Peanut Butter Cookies are Done

Peanut butter cookies and peanut butter blossoms are usually cooked until the edges are light brown. If the peanut butter makes the cookies appear light brown, you might need to turn on the oven light or briefly remove them from the oven for a closer look.

How to Tell When Gingerbread and Other Dark Cookies are Done

When your cookie ingredients are dark in color, it can be hard to tell when the edges or bottoms are truly golden or dark brown. A touch test might help: Gently nudge them with a spatula or press the edges to make sure they're firm.

How to Tell When Chocolate Chip Cookies are Done

Chocolate chip cookies are done when they have a firm golden edge or bottom and appear slightly set on top. Avoid overbaking by not letting the edges become dark brown.

How to Tell When Brownies are Done

Cake brownies, like buttermilk brownies, are done when they are firm and start to pull away from the edges of the pan. Fudgy brownies don't have a specific doneness test, so they should be removed from the oven once the timer goes off.

How to Tell When Crumb-Topped Bars are Done

Bar cookies with a crumb or streusel-type topping are done when the topping turns light brown. Check the bottoms by gently lifting the edges of the cookie sheet.

How to Know When Cookies are Done in Special Cases

Some cookies, like Fudge Ecstasies and shortbread, require unique visual cues for doneness. These cookies are done when the edges are set and the tops have turned a dull color and cracked.

Troubleshooting Tips for Baking Cookies

If you find your cookies are always underdone or overdone, consider these tips to improve your baking results:

• Use an Oven Thermometer
• Use the Best Cookie Sheets
• Measure Dough Accurately
• Space Your Cookies Correctly
• Bake One Sheet at a Time
• Let Cookies Cool on the Pan

For more tips, visit our full list of Test Kitchen tips for baking cookies. After cooling, store your cookies properly to keep them fresh. You can also freeze your cookies to avoid wasting precious dough.