Why Small Batch Cookies are Awesome (okay, we're biased)

Cliche incoming: When it comes to cookies, not all batches are created equal. Cookies made in small quantities are just better. Why? Well, they offer a taste and texture that mass-produced cookies often can't match. Let's explore this claim.

The Art of the Small Batch Cookie Recipe

A small batch cookie recipe (like those at TCI) is more than just a list of ingredients and instructions. It's a carefully developed formula that seeks to balance flavors, textures, and baking techniques, creating a cookie that's both delicious and, frankly, memorable. Unlike factory-made cookies, small batch recipes often focus on quality over quantity.

For example, our cookie recipes use premium ingredients such as organic flour and sugar, high-fat, high-quality butter (very important!), fresh eggs, and real vanilla extract. These ingredients contribute to a richer flavor and a more satisfying bite. Our dough is either mixed by hand or in small batches in a KitchenAid mixer to ensure even distribution of ingredients and to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. And nobody wants a tough cookie.

Baking in small batches allows for better control over the baking process. This attention to detail is what sets our cookies apart from their mass-produced counterparts.

Freshly baked, small batch cookies cooling on a rack

Why Baking in Small Batches Makes a Difference

Baking cookies in small batches offers several advantages that impact the final product's quality and taste.

1. Consistency: When baking fewer cookies at a time, it's easier to maintain consistent oven temperature and baking time. This results in cookies that are uniformly baked with the ideal texture.

   
   

2. Freshness: Small batch cookies are often baked to order or in limited quantities, ensuring that they're fresh. Not to fire shots at our competitors from Big Cookie, but fresh cookies have a superior taste and texture compared to those that have been sitting on store shelves for days or weeks (or months!).

   
   

3. Customization: Small batch baking allows for experimentation with flavors and ingredients. TCI can easily adjust recipes to create unique combinations or cater to specific dietary needs without committing to large quantities.

   
   

4. Less Waste: Baking in small batches reduces the risk of leftover cookies going stale or being wasted.

   
   

5. Personal Touch: Each batch receives more attention and care, often resulting in cookies that feel homemade and special. And 'ugly' cookies that still taste great are celebrated, not scorned.

   
   

These benefits make small batch cookies a preferred choice for those who appreciate quality and flavor in every bite.

Scooping cookie dough

The Science Behind Perfect Cookies

Understanding the science behind cookie baking can help you appreciate why small batch cookies taste better. Several factors come into play:

• Ingredient Ratios: The balance of flour, sugar, fat, and leavening agents affects the cookie's texture and spread. Small batch recipes allow precise measurement and adjustment.

  
  

• Mixing Technique: Overmixing can develop gluten, making cookies tough. Small batches are easier to mix gently and evenly.

  
  

• Oven Heat Distribution: In large batches, cookies placed on different racks or positions may bake unevenly. Small batches fit comfortably on a single rack, ensuring even heat exposure.

  
  

• Cooling Process: Cooling cookies on a rack prevents sogginess and helps maintain the desired texture. Small batches can be cooled immediately and then properly packaged onsite before ending up in your hands.

  
  

Cookies cooling on a rack after baking

How to Enjoy and Store Artisan Small Batch Cookies

There are rules to eating and storing cookies? YES.

• Serve Fresh: Enjoy cookies within a day or two of baking for the best flavor and texture.

  
  

• Proper Storage: You can store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread can help maintain moisture. Our cookies can be frozen (tightly wrapped) for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature outside the packaging/wrapping to avoid sogginess.

  
  

• Reheat Gently: Warm cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive softness and melty-ness.

  
  

• Pairing Suggestions: Small batch cookies pair perfectly with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. Experiment with different pairings to enhance your tasting experience.

Small batch cookies offer a unique blend of freshness, quality, and personal touch that mass-produced cookies often (always) lack. Enjoy the process, savor the flavors, and share the joy of these delightful treats with others.

We make small batch cookies! Check them out.