Read your recipe carefully before starting

• Read your recipe carefully before starting.
  
  Be sure you have all the ingredients called for and that you understand the recipe clearly.
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  Remember - If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right!
  
  Cultivate the do-it-right attitude and habit.  Baking demands accuracy and care. Unlike other kinds of cooking, such as soups or stews, you cannot improvise or substitute ingredients. Never carry on another activity while you are mixing a recipe.

• Distractions, no matter how small, lead to mistakes. Let the telephone ring!

• Use good tools and utensils.
  
  Assemble all the bowls, pans, and utensils you will need on your counter or worktable before starting. Use standard measuring cups and spoons.  
• Use top-quality ingredient and assemble the ingredients before starting. You can't expect a first-rate product using second-rate ingredients. Be sure your ingredients are fresh and of the finest quality. If your recipe says the ingredient must be room temperature, be sure it is room temperature before proceeding.

·         Measure the quantities correctly. This is a baking must. One common cause of cooking failures is inaccurate measurement of ingredients. You can use the best ingredients in the world, but if you do not measure correctly, the recipe will not come out properly. Also always use level measurements (all measurements in a recipe are level).

·         Room temperature: Have all ingredients at room temperature for more glamorous perfect cookies, unless otherwise specified.

·         Oven temperature: Preheat the oven 10 to 15 minutes before you begin baking cookies.