Tools of the Trade

I got a couple questions recently about cookie scoops, so I figured I'd do a combo scoop-and-other tools post. Here goes:

Half-sheet baking pans: If I remember correctly, Cook’s Illustrated magazine rated the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch pans highest, but I think any half-sheet pan will do because their thicker bottoms conduct heat better and more evenly than standard cookie sheets, and half-sheet pans have a raised edge with a rolled lip, which makes them sturdier than standard cookie sheets.

Silpats: These are silicone baking mats. Silpat is the best-known brand, thanks to Martha! But there are a bunch of brands available, so you can be sure to find one at a price that’s right for you. I absolutely love these guys. They’re dishwasher safe and reusable, and I’ve never had a problem getting cookies off of them. In fact, rested cookies literally pop off of a Silpat with a slight twist of your wrist. You don’t even need to use a spatula.

Cookie scoops: What’s the secret to getting perfectly round and perky cookies every time? Simple...a cookie scoop. But not just any cookie scoop. Steer clear of those shiny, retro-looking aluminum guys with visible springs in the handles. They’re expensive, they pinch your hand, and even worse, they break. Trust me. I’ve had a lot of luck with scoops that have plastic handles and mechanisms. Any cookie baker needs one.

You can find these tools at any home/cooking store. Don't feel like you have to spend a fortune: there are tons of brands available, so you'll be able to find stuff for the price that's right for you. I really like the King Arthur online store because it has a great selection and reasonable prices. Best of all, I can do my shopping in my pajamas...and who could complain about that?

Comments

[AJ]

Greg, I need a rich uncle for those scoops. I'm going to see if I can get a friend's husband to take me to a couple of the restaurant stores in the area. I might get lucky.

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, Alicia. That link was to a set of three scoops, which is on the pricey side. I've changed it so that it links to the one scoop I use, which is $20. If you bake a lot of cookies--like I do--one of these plastic cookie scoops will pay for itself quickly.

There are all-metal scoops that are expensive and all-metal scoops that are inexpensive. But I've found that these models jam up, pinch, and eventually break after just a little bit of use, so it's probably better to invest in a plastic scoop than a metal one that you'll have to replace.

Here's a link to an Oxo scooper at Bed, Bath, and Beyond:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=102818

This scooper has the kind of mechanism that goes wonky after a little bit of use. The sprocket...or cog...or whatever that gear-y looking thing is at the bottom slips out of the groove, and you need to use a pair of pliers to realign everything. Ugh... Who wants to deal with that?

Oh! The other good thing about plastic scoops is that they're dishwasher safe and won't rust. Bonus!

[AJ]

Hi Greg,

Yeah, I've looked at the set before. I like it, but I need to get a little more bang for my buck. I've got a query into an Ebay store to see if I can get a better deal. I've used cookie scoops before and mine broke. I want something a little more durable. I should also check Chef's catalog.

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

I'll keep an eye out for stuff too!