Q&A for How to Fix Dry Cookie Dough

Add a dash of milk, but gradually, so as not to make the dough sticky.

Try letting the dough set at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking. This will soften the butter, which will then become even softer while baking, and should help them spread. Also, you could flatten the cookies with a spatula before you bake them.

Put the dough under a lot of pressure with floured hands, then gently mold it into a thick disk. Drizzle melted butter over the top. This will help get it moist and prevent it from being sticky. Then just sprinkle it with flour and roll it out as usual.

It may be because of the sugar crystals in the raw dough, but if it is overly sandy, or is still sandy or dry after baking, knead the dough more and add small amounts of milk or oil. Also, make sure your ingredients are well-mixed.

If your cookie recipe calls for butter, leave the dough in the fridge for a couple of hours (or better yet, overnight) to allow the dough to firm up.

You may want to add a very small amount of milk or water to the dough so that it isn't as dry.

Usually it does, but it really is a recipe-dependent issue. Some recipes work. Some don't.

Usually it does, as peanut butter cookie dough is very forgiving, but it can be recipe-dependent.

Let them cool, then put the cookies back in at 350° F for a few minutes. Check them constantly.