This Is TASTE 701: Carla Hall Is the Best Kind of Cookie Snob
Dec 13, 2025
In this chat, Carla Hall, a renowned chef and TV host known for her friendly food philosophy, shares her holiday baking tips and reveals what makes Gordon Ramsay tick off-camera. She discusses the art of cookie-making, emphasizing spice balance and technique. Listeners will love her advice on prepping dough in advance for stress-free baking. Additionally, Carla reflects on her creative pursuits through teaching and her upcoming cookbook, which promotes weighing ingredients for baking consistency. It's a delightful mix of behind-the-scenes insights and tasty ideas!
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Prep Dough Ahead For Easier Holiday Baking
- Make cookie and pie dough ahead, roll it flat, and freeze it for easy slicing and baking later.
- Work in steps so you don't spend long hours in the kitchen on a single day.
Roll Then Chill Dough For Easier Shaping
- For decorated cookies, roll dough while soft, flatten, pack, and freeze to chill quickly and ease cutting.
- Avoid forming dough into a ball; roll early to save work and ensure consistent crusts.
Control Temperature And Thickness For Better Cookies
- Get butter at the right temperature and chill dough properly to control cookie thickness and texture.
- Keep sandwich cookies thin and shortbreads crisp by managing thickness and chilling.
