A simple way to increase spread is to flatten each cookie before baking with a flat-bottomed glass dipped in water. (or for a bit of sugar on top of the cookie, you can grease the glass bottom and dip in sugar before flattening each cookie.) I really enjoyed your sharing your test kitchen results with us. Thanks for all your work. I'll definitely chill the dough to increase spread from now on whenever I decrease the sugar. One last thing: since baking powder makes a puffier cookie and baking soda increases spread, perhaps substituting 1/2 tsp. baking soda for 1 tsp. baking powder in a recipe that already has baking powder might help.

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