Why Do You Cream Butter And Sugar To Make Cookies? The Science Behind The First Step To Most Baking Recipes

Most baking recipes start with the following line:  "In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together".  Most people just follow the instructions without ever thinking about why you're creaming butter and sugar together and what difference does it make.

Here's the science behind it.

The process of creaming your butter (or similar fat) and sugar accomplishes two things to the recipe:

• (Most Importantly) The sugar crystals physically cut air pockets in to the butter, leaving you with a lighter product at the end.  Microscopically-speaking, sugar crystals are sharp and they make millions of little air pockets in your butter as they mix together.  The longer you perform the creaming process,  the lighter your end product will be.
• At the same time, you're making sure that these two ingredients are properly distributed together.

Following the proper procedures in the kitchen is extra-important when you're baking to achieve satisfactory results.