Why do people do the criss cross thing with a fork when making peanut butter cookies ?!
The Peanut Butter Balls recipe in the 1931 edition of Pillsbury's Balanced Recipes contains the first known written instance of instructing the cook to press the cookies using fork tines. The recipe does not explain why this advice is given, though peanut butter cookie dough is dense, and without being pressed, it will not cook evenly. Using fork tines to press the dough is a convenience; bakers can also use a cookie press.
Answers: Why are peanut butter cookies traditionally marked with a criss cross pattern?
The Peanut Butter Balls recipe in the 1931 edition of Pillsbury's Balanced Recipes contains the first known written instance of instructing the cook to press the cookies using fork tines. The recipe does not explain why this advice is given, though peanut butter cookie dough is dense, and without being pressed, it will not cook evenly. Using fork tines to press the dough is a convenience; bakers can also use a cookie press.
put the fork in four and then criss cross!
I have noticed when i bake them, that if i forget to do the criss cross they puff up too much when they bake and are more like cookie balls. The criss cross flattens it so it comes out a cookie shape and cooks thoroughly.
You have to flatten out the cookies before baking. Otherwise they will remain in the ball shape they start out in (they don't flatten out like other cookies such as chocolate chip). The fork is just the easiest method of doing this flattening; I've seen it done with a glass or cup bottom too though.
Decorative purposes and flattening.
Just another visual presentation.....to make it look pretty enough to eat.
Also, to distinguishes it a peanut butter cookie from the rest of the baked cookies in case someone has an allergy to peanut butter.
Yeah I don't know I guess it just looks better than just smooshing them down flat! lol I love peanut butter cookies by the way! I just made a huge bunch with my mother the other day! I need to go back and get some more from her mine are all gone he he!