Question 25

Each ball of dough must be pressed down with a fork before baking.

Pressing down each ball of dough with a fork is a crucial step in the cookie-making process as indicated in the recipe. This action helps to shape the cookies and ensures even baking.

A) When beating the eggs and sugar, you shouldn't stop until stiff peaks form.

This statement is incorrect because while it is important to beat the egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, the instruction does not explicitly state that one should not stop at all during the process. It is a gradual process, and there are phases where mixing can take a brief pause, especially when incorporating other ingredients.

B) After adding flour, the cookies are baked for 10 to 12 minutes.

This statement is partially true but lacks specificity regarding the order of operations in the recipe. The cookies are not immediately baked after adding flour; the dough must first chill for at least 2 hours before being rolled into balls and subsequently pressed down and baked.

C) The egg white and vanilla are beaten together in a bowl.

This statement is misleading because the recipe specifies that the egg white is beaten separately with sugar until foamy and stiff peaks form, while vanilla is added later when folding in the peanut butter. Thus, they are not beaten together initially.

D) Each ball of dough must be pressed down with a fork before baking.

This statement is correct as it directly reflects the instructions provided in the recipe. Pressing down the dough balls with a fork is an essential step to achieve the desired cookie shape and texture.

Conclusion

Option D is definitively correct because it accurately describes a necessary step in the cookie preparation process as outlined in the extract. The other options either misinterpret the instructions or provide incomplete information about the recipe steps, thus failing to accurately represent the process involved in making the cookies.