Baking at Altitude
HazMatMind, Sat Mar 16 2019, 06:54PM

I tried Nestle's Toll House Choc Chip cookies with their altitude adjustments. [Click Here] . They were pretty lame, didn't flatten, not sweet enough and were way too cakey.
Does anyone have a good choc chip recipe or tweaks for 7000'?

Thanks!

Re: Baking at Altitude
Polar 🌌rbit, Sat Mar 16 2019, 09:14PM

There is a cookbook by Elizabeth Purdy called 'Pie in the Sky' which tries to set some guidelines. Her experience is that cookies spread too much at altitude. Maybe the Nestle adjustments are too much. Her cookie adjustments for chocolate chip cookies at 7000 ft is to cut back on sugar (3/4 cup to 3/4 cup minus 2 tbs), and up vanilla (1 tsp to 1 1/2 tsp). Bake at 350F instead of 375F.

Re: Baking at Altitude
Polar 🌌rbit, Sat Mar 16 2019, 09:22PM

Sorry, Susan Purdy, not Elizabeth. Don't know where that name crept into my feeble brain.

Re: Baking at Altitude
BootsNBridles, Sat Mar 16 2019, 09:26PM

General rule of thumb is to increase the temp 25 degrees, add a TB of flour for each cup of flour, don't overbeat. If you use a package mix follow their high altitude directions religiously. Don't even try to make fudge and angelfood cake takes practice. Good luck! Oh, if you make bread make sure you use the sponge method for good results.

Re: Baking at Altitude
HazMatMind, Sun Mar 17 2019, 08:44AM

Thanks to all. I'll try those suggestions and look for Pie in the Sky. I do have a cookbook called 'High Plains Sifter.' Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Re: Baking at Altitude
Polar 🌌rbit, Sun Mar 17 2019, 10:56AM

At least some good humor in the titles.

Re: Baking at Altitude
BootsNBridles, Sun Mar 17 2019, 12:53PM

HazMat- if your cookies are too cakey use more butter and less oil and both white sugar and brown sugar.

Re: Baking at Altitude
Benny ⭐, Sun Mar 17 2019, 04:31PM

Usually you'll want to use less water for stuff and cook it longer too.

Re: Baking at Altitude
BaughHumbug, Sat Mar 30 2019, 02:19PM

This is our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe for this altitude, but we prefer ours soft & chewy for munching or dunking:


cookies_1.pdf

Re: Baking at Altitude
HazMatMind, Sat Mar 30 2019, 03:47PM

BaughHumbug -- Thanks, I printed it and will try. Apple cider vinegar is a new one on me.

Re: Baking at Altitude
SCM ALERT🚨, Sat Mar 30 2019, 04:33PM

YUMMY!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Now I just need to find time to make them




Re: Baking at Altitude
BootsNBridles, Sat Mar 30 2019, 09:30PM

Make sure you use unsalted butter when it's called for. Baking soda needs acidity to work, thus the ACV. :-)

Re: Baking at Altitude
BBNona, Tue Apr 02 2019, 06:27PM

Pie in the Sky is available at Big Bear Library. Someone gave it to me as a gift and it’s a good cookbook.

Re: Baking at Altitude
holeinbow, Tue Apr 02 2019, 10:56PM

Got my mom's bread machine a while back, ive had good luck with the lighter breads per recipe, not so much with the heavier ones.

Re: Baking at Altitude
BootsNBridles, Wed Apr 03 2019, 10:25AM

Bread making at altitude is a struggle and an art. Use any 'sponge' method- proofing the yeast first. I have never used a bread machine but I know it requires more time to knead it then dth. Mine are usually twice as tall as the pan. (I also think using powdered milk helps the texture) Tassajara Bread Book = best book ever for making great breads!

Re: Baking at Altitude
holeinbow, Wed Apr 03 2019, 12:05PM

When i got the bread machine a series of 5 recipe books came with it. Most recipes call for quick rising yeast, all ive had to do was make sure everything was at room temperature and use warm water when starting a loaf, super easy to do, usually about 2 or 3 hours once you add everything and start it up. Hard part is not peeking once its going...