Are you craving for some cookies but you only have 00 flour in your home? And now, you are asking: “Can I use 00 flour for cookies?”
Well, technically, you can use 00 flour for cookies. But you may not like the results you get from using it. 00 flour is the finest flour in the market with a high gluten content. This makes 00 flour not an ideal candidate for baking cookies. The high gluten content will give the cookies a denser crumb and a finer texture. This makes the cookies fall apart and also makes them chewy.
In the next parts of this article, we will talk more about making cookies with 00 flour. Also, we will see if it’s possible to somehow make it work.
Can I Use 00 Flour For Cookies?
Yes, you can use 00 flour to make cookies. But it is not the best choice. Making cookies can be very difficult with 00 flour. That’s because 00 flour has more protein and gluten content than all-purpose or cake flour. These flours are usually used to make cookies.
The higher gluten and protein content makes the texture finer and the crumb a lot denser. This is not what you want for making cookies.
A finer texture means the cookie will not hold itself together. A denser crumb means that the cookies will be chewy.
How To Make Cookies With 00 Flours?
To make cookies with 00 flour, you need to substitute the all-purpose flour by weight. That means instead of using cup measurement, you need to measure the weight and use that amount of 00 flour.
Let’s say you will need three cups of all-purpose flour to make cookies. Suppose, one cup of all-purpose flour weighs about 120g. So, in total, you would need about 360 grams of all-purpose flour.
Now, if you want to use 00 flour instead of all-purpose, do not use three cups of 00 flour. Instead, you need to use 360g of it no matter how many cups it is. This method will thicken the batter just like you thicken your Kahlua.
Let’s show you a recipe for a chocolate chip cookie for a better understanding-
Ingredients:
- 200g of 00 flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 00 flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart. You can only make a limited number of cookies or brownies in a half-sheet pan.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers may appear slightly undercooked but they will firm up as they cool.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
However, you may need to be extra careful, because the dough may not be coming together in the mixer. Also, it will still be a lot chewier than usual. So, baking only chocolate chip cookies will work with 00 flour as these cookies can normally be chewy.
Which Flour Is The Best For Cookies?
Cake flour is the best flour choice to make cookies, as it has the lowest protein and gluten content. Because of this, the cookies become much more fluffy and soft.
Cake flour is milled from soft wheat, which has a lower protein content compared to 00 flour. The lower protein content in cake flour results in less gluten formation when mixed. These cookies are less likely to spread and hold their shape better during baking.
Using cake flour in cookie recipes also helps to create a finer crumb. The lower protein content allows the fat in the recipe to coat the flour particles more evenly. As a result, it creates a more tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
What Is 00 Flour Best Used For?
00 flour is best used for making thin-crust pizza and pasta dishes like spaghetti. Its protein content and moisture requirements help create a dough with strong gluten. Because of this, it is elastic and able to stretch without tearing.
This flour is perfect for achieving the chewy texture and puffy edges, which is ideal for Neapolitan-style pizza. It can also be used to make crackers and flatter bread like focaccia. It can also be used for other recipes where a smooth, stretchable dough is desired. So, if you’re aiming for authentic Italian-style pizza or delicate pasta, 00 flour is your go-to ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why is 00 flour special?
00 flour is special because of its extremely fine texture and high quality. It is made from soft wheat flour that has been milled slowly to achieve the finest particles. Fine flour absorbs water easily and produces supple, elastic, and easy-to-handle dough.
Is semolina the same as 00 flour?
No, semolina is not the same as 00 flour. They differ in texture and particle size. Semolina has larger particles and a coarser texture, while 00 flour is a much finer powder.
Why is 00 flour expensive?
00 flour is expensive because of its high-quality milling. The process achieves a very fine particle size, and it has a low extraction rate. About 30% of the grain is lost during the milling process which results in refined and pure flour.
Conclusion
So, we hope you have the answer to your question: “Can I use 00 flour for cookies?” The answer is yes but you will not get your desired texture and crumbs. That’s why it is best to use cake flour or all-purpose flour for baking cookies.
If you prefer chewy cookies, you can use 00 flour as a substitute for cake flour or all-purpose flour.
