More tips will be added regularly. If doesn't actively bubble, it's too old to be effective. Unless a recipe specifies otherwise, allow refrigerated ingredients to come to room temperature before you begin. Remove butter and eggs one hour in advance. Stick margarine may be used in place of butter in most cases.
Bust insure good results, stay away from soft spreads or reduced-fat versions.
If dough gets gluey, resist the impulse to add extra flour or cookies will be tough. Cool in fridge until firm, or roll out in between two pieces of waxed paper. To curtail spreading, set dough on cool sheet and bake immediately. Start checking cookies at soonest time given. Beets Adding a little lemon juice to beets before cooking will allow them to maintain their color.