I had this problem today! I tried a cranberry recipe using the boxed apple crisp mix they sell in the supermarket. It was supposed to come out like shortbread. Am pretty sure it was too much sugar that made cookies spread. could not lower sugar though because sugar was in the crisp mix. I was very disappointed. I definitely want to underscore the idea that margarine causes cookies so spread. I used to have a cookie business, and in the beginning tried a large quantity recipe that suggested "butter or margarine". big mistake, cookies were a mess! I think margarine must have too much water in it. so now use either all butter or butter and part shortening. made me smile to see this entry today since I had the spreading issue. Thanks for posting.

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