The Best Cookie Scoop Size For Bakers

Often an overlooked kitchen essential, cookie dough scoops can be the secret to perfectly uniform and delectable cookies every time. In this article, we'll explore the world of cookie dough scoops and discover how they elevate your baking experience.

Jump to:

• Why should you use a stainless steel cookie scoop?
• What are the different sizes of cookie scoops? 
• How to use a cookie dough scoop
• What else can you use cookie scoops for?
• Make These Cookies

Why should you use a stainless steel cookie scoop?

When it comes to baking perfect cookies, having the right tools is essential. A 3 pcs cookie scoops set is one of the most useful tools you can have in your kitchen. Here are a few reasons why:

• It allows you to portion the dough into uniform pieces easily; each ball of cookie dough will be evenly sized.
• Cookie scoops make quick work of forming and portioning out dough, saving you time and energy in the kitchen when you are cookie baking.
• The best cookie scoops to use are stainless steel spring-loaded scoops with sturdy construction, ensuring it won’t bend or break when scooping even the stiffest cookie dough
• Since they’re made from stainless steel, they’re easy to clean and sanitize.

“I love cookie scoops for consistency, not just in the same size, but for bake time and yield. When I use a scoop, I know that my cookies will be the perfect level of done at the same time, every time, for every cookie. I also know I'll always get exactly 20 cookies from my favorite recipe.” 

— Renee Gardner, Renee Nicholes Kitchen

What are the different sizes of cookie scoops? 

Cookie scoops come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to bake beautiful cookies from big to small. 

Because cookie dough scoops are simply ice cream scoops, the scoop numbers are based on the number of scoops you can get from a quart. Home bakers may not find the numbers useful, but the higher the number, the smaller the scoop. 

What is the standard cookie scoop size? Each brand has different sizes when buying scoops, so for cookies, look for the number of teaspoons or tablespoons the scoop holds.

#100 scoop 

• Small 1-inch scoop:  Holds one teaspoon. Use these for making bite-sized cookies or truffles, as a melon baller or fill a deviled egg. 

#60 scoop

• Medium 1-½ inch scoop: This scoop can hold one tablespoon. It is ideal for the popular cookie size of classic chocolate chip cookies and mini cupcakes.

#20 scoop

• Large 2 ¾ inch scoop: Holds four tablespoons or ¼ cup. Use this scoop for giant cookies, as an ice cream scooper, or to fill cupcake pans with batter.

How to use a cookie dough scoop

It’s not hard using a cookie scoop, but there are a few tricks to get the bowl of the scoop filled properly.

1. Start by prepping your dough. Chill it in the fridge for at least an hour before scooping, and make sure it’s soft enough to scoop easily, but not so soft that it’s sticky.
2. Choose the right size of cookie scoop for your recipe and fill it with dough.
3. Using the scoop, scoop down into the dough so it's inside the scoop and overfill it a bit. Use the side of the mixing bowl to scrape off the excess, or use a bench scraper to remove the excess dough.
4. Firmly press the handle down until it pushes out all the dough. If the dough starts sticking, lightly dip the scoop into flour or sugar first.
5. Place the cookies onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, leaving enough space between them so they don’t run into one another while baking.
6. Bake according to the recipe directions, and enjoy your perfectly portioned cookies.

What else can you use cookie scoops for?

Even though we call these cookie scoops, they are the perfect tool for other foods. 

• Ice Cream Balls — use these scoops to perfectly fill an ice cream cone, or to make frozen Oreo bite desserts.  
• Use a larger cookie scoop for our favorite lemon muffins or these coconut cupcakes to fill the pans with batter.
• Make your pancakes all the same size using a cookie scoop.
• Turn your smaller cookie scoop into a melon baller.
• Use a medium scoop for perfectly proportioned meatballs.
• Proportion foods like salmon patties, potato cakes or arepas.  
• If you like making truffles, a cookie scoop will make the perfect size.
• Use the large scoop for portioning out chicken or tuna salad for sandwiches.
• Make a nice round scoop of mashed potatoes or rice.

“I like to use a cookie scoop for cookies so they look uniform and for consistent bake times. I also love to use a large cookie scoop for other things like making meatballs or matzoh balls.” 

— Robin Donovan, All Ways Delicious

What's the best choice? Small, medium, and large sizes will save you time in the kitchen. Cookie scoops make baking a breeze, ensuring consistent results with every use.

Here's a great cookie tip: Did you know you can freeze cookie dough? Once you scoop the dough into balls, freeze them to bake later. This is a great way always to have cookies ready for baking.

Make These Cookies

Jere Cassidy is the writer and recipe developer behind the blog One Hot Oven. A passion for all things food-related led her to culinary school to expand on her baking skills and now to sharing easy recipes for all home cooks and bakers of all skill levels. When not in the kitchen, Jere’ likes to travel far and wide to find delicious food.

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.