Why Your Cookies Get Crispy Edges (And How to Fix It)

Many home bakers believe their oven is a perfectly uniform baking chamber, but the truth is, most ovens have hot spots. Understanding and compensating for these temperature variations is key to achieving consistently golden-brown, evenly baked results—especially for delicate items like cookies and cakes. This quick tip will help you identify your oven's quirks and bake with more confidence.

The simplest way to discover your oven's personality (and its hot spots) is with a simple bread or toast test. Arrange slices of white bread or unbaked biscuits on a single baking sheet, filling it as much as possible. Bake them in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature (around 350°F / 175°C) until they're golden. Observe which areas brown faster or darker—those are your hot spots. Another helpful tool is an oven thermometer; place several around your oven to see where the temperature fluctuates. (For more on oven thermometer accuracy, check out this guide: