Before you start baking invest in at least one if not two or more Silpat Baking Mats, at least two good quality cookie sheets, cooling racks, and a flexible spatula.

To make rolled and cut out cookies you will also need a pastry board and a rolling pin.

If you are not using a baking mat or parchment paper be sure to use shortening to grease your cookie sheet.  Oil tends to make cookies stick and using butter will make them brown too fast.

 Make sure that you always measure ingredients accurately.

Preheat oven for at least 10 minutes before baking.

When placing cookie dough on cookie sheet to bake leave at least 2 inches between cookies to allow for expansion while baking.

Bake only one sheet of cookies at a time on a sheet that is at least 2 inches smaller than your oven to allow for the air to circulate for even baking.

Cool your cookies on wire rack so that your cookies will not become soggy.