overbake

Leave too long

To overbake is to bake something too long, resulting in dryness, hardness, or burning: The cookies were overbaked and crumbly.

The past participle overbaked works as an adjective: an overbaked crust.

Figuratively, overbaked can describe something overdeveloped or overworked: The plot felt overbaked, with too many twists.

burnt

scorched

Burned on surface

blackenedDarkened by burning
charredBurned until black
carbonizedConverted to carbon

singed · incinerated · toasted · blistered · seared · ashen · smoky · cremated · calcined · smoldering

dried-out

desiccated

Thoroughly dehydrated

parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
dehydratedSeverely lacking moisture
crumblyProne to fragmenting

brittle · hard · leathery · tough · shriveled · dried-out · moistureless · stale · wizened · rubbery

ruined

inedible

Unfit for consumption

wastedUsed without good result
botchedPoorly executed, spoiled
spoiledRuined or overindulged

disaster · unpalatable · unsalvageable · mistake · blunder · mishap · failed · trashed · fiasco

overdone

overcooked

Heated beyond optimal

well-doneFully cooked or praised
overheatedExcessively warm
overbrownedExcessively darkened by heat

overworked · overset

crispy

crunchy

Breaking with sound

crispFirm and breakable
golden-brownWarm amber hue
cracklingSharp snapping noises

crust · browned · caramelized · crusty · snappy · shattery

Opposites

degree of baking/cooking duration

overbakeunderbake

Cook insufficiently in oven

undercook · underdone · underdo · raw · half-baked

Family

overbaked, overbaking, overbakes

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G