What is a common feature of drop cookies during baking?

Drop cookies are characterized by their method of preparation, where the dough is dropped in spoonfuls onto the baking sheet rather than being rolled or shaped into uniform forms. One of the defining features of drop cookies during baking is that they tend to spread and flatten out. This occurs due to the moisture content in the dough and the fat melting as they bake, which allows the cookies to take on a broader, flatter shape.

This spreading action is in contrast to other types of cookies, such as shaped cookies, which are manipulated into specific shapes before baking and generally do not spread as much. As a result, while some cookies may also rise to maintain a certain height, drop cookies typically focus on that spread, producing a more rustic, homey texture and appearance.