Cookies aren't coming out right!!

What's wrong with me???

I've tried to bake cookies, both chocolate chip, and my grandmother's molasses crinkle recipes. Each time, the cookies come out flat and uninteresting. I know I put the baking soda in - even brought Arm & Hammer with me (did the choco chip on my last visit, thought it might be UK baking soda )

Any hints? They are supposed to come out nice and round and chewy. But they are just flat and limp...

HELP!!

thanks.

It's a well-documented problem 

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=53269.0

Thanks so much for the link. Who knew the ingredients would be soooo different.

I'll try another batch today!

Lisa

Lisa, definitely use more flour for US recipes. I use Elynor's chart on this link for converting US all-purpose flour to UK plain flour. It hasn't failed me yet. I keep everything else the same. I wrote this chart down in the back of a few of my cookbooks for a quick reference.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=34101.msg450580#msg450580

I recently baked a cake recipe that called for 3 cups US flour and I used 4 cups of plain flour and it came out perfectly. I've tried the bread flour and it didn't work as well for me, and neither did the extra baking powder, but the extra flour seems to work every time. I'd start with that.

Thanks for the flour link, Jewlz...

though I just got back from ASDA with 'Strong Flour'... I guess it's time for a little experimenting in the kitchen!

Guess if I had a job, I wouldn't be so concerned about my baking.... but that's for a different topic

thanks everyone.

Okay, so taking into account everyone's advice, I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies today (Nestle Toll House, yes I brought chocolate chips in my luggage when I moved over )..

And they came out GREAT!!!!! Exactly the way they were suppose to. I used the Strong Flour, put in a bit more than the recipe called for. A bit less than the 250g of butter (real butter) and a smidge more baking soda (arm & hammer, brought from states).

I guess it's all a bit of experimentation, but I'm really happy with the outcome. Thanks everyone for their input and help!!

Lisa