Why You Should Consider Making Cookies In A Panini Press

When considering if you should buy a panini press, you probably don't think about using it to make anything other than a deliciously melty sandwich. It's in the appliance's name, after all. Though it may seem like a kitchen gadget with just a single purpose, you can cook up various things with a panini press between the two hot plates. The creative possibilities are endless, and you might be surprised to learn what dishes you can prepare via this handy method.

Whether you need a quick breakfast omelet to start your morning right, or you decide to grill up some seasoned veggies rather than stick them in the oven, the panini press is a great tool for all kinds of meals. Not only that, but you can even use one in lieu of an oven if you've got a sweet tooth. Panini presses are a quick and simple way to make your favorite desserts like brownies, cake, or a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies. What's so special about making them this way compared to oven-baking your cookies traditionally?

Ovens generally take 15 to 20 minutes to preheat to the desired temperature (via Food52). If you're keen on minimizing the wait time until you can crunch into that first gooey bite of a freshly baked cookie, using a panini press might be the ideal choice since it cuts the preheating time in half. You don't have to warm up the whole oven, and it shouldn't waste as much energy since you're heating a smaller appliance. Use your favorite cookie recipe, or if you've got some premade cookie dough, you can scoop it right out of the tub and onto the press.

Professional food blogger Kathy Strahs from Panini Happy suggests leaving them on the grill for 8 minutes and flipping them if you'd like them to be more evenly cooked throughout. This may not be the most aesthetically pleasing way to enjoy cookies, but it does the job and can still produce the sweet mouthful of goodness you were craving.