Best Basic Cookie Dough Recipes

BASIC COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk 7-1/2 cups flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture, adding more flour if necessary. Divide dough into four 2-cup portions. Refrigerate, covered, until needed., Basic Cookie Dough may be used to prepare the following recipes: Crumb-Topped Date Bars, Cherry Surprise Cookies, Chocolate Mallow Cookies or Jelly Sandwich Cookies.

BASIC SUGAR-COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt; mix on medium speed until combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour in 2 batches, mixing just until incorporated.
• Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Place each on a piece of plastic wrap; flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.

BASIC BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Place flour, sugar, butter, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process until mixture is the texture of coarse meal.
• In a small bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and vanilla; with motor running, add to food processor. Process just until a dough forms.

BASIC COOKIE DOUGH WITH 6 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Put butter, granulated and light brown sugar, the baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Beat with mixer on medium speed 3 minutes or until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well blended.
• Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually beat in flour until blended. Divide dough in half (about 1 3/4 cups per portion). Prepare each portion as directed in recipes.
• Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks, 1/2 cup each pecans and walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped, and 1/4 cup semisweet or milk chocolate mini M & Ms baking bits in a large bowl; stir until blended. Drop heaping measuring tablespoons dough 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack 2 minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.
• Lemon Wedges: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract in a large bowl; stir until blended. Roll 1/4 cup portions into balls. Place 4 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press into 4 inch circles. Bake 13 to 15 minutes until light brown. While hot, remove circles with a broad spatula to a cutting board. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Transfer wedges to a rack to cool completely. Whisk 3/4 cup confectioners sugar and 1 tablespoon water until smooth, adding more water if needed until just thin enough to drizzle. Place a piece of wax paper under cookies on rack. Drizzle cookies with sugar mixture; let stand until drizzle sets.
• Berry Crumb Bars: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 inch square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan on opposite sides. With floured fingers, pat 1 1/4 cups dough (from 1/2 recipe chilled basic cookie dough) over bottom of prepared pan. Put 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped and 1/3 cup raspberry preserves in a small bowl; stir until well blended. Spread on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges of pan. Add coconut to remaining dough; stir until blended. Break off small pieces and place randomly on cranberry mixture. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until top is browned. Cool in pan on wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift onto cutting board. Cut into 18 bars.
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oatmeal, 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped and 1/3 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter in a large bowl; stir until blended. Drop level measuring tablespoons 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool on sheet on wire racks 2 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.
• Spicy Snickerdoodles: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl; stir until blended. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Place 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Shape scant tablespoons dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar to coat. Place 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with decorating sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until edges are browned. Cool on sheet on wire racks 2 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.
• Chocolate Toffee Brownies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan at opposite sides. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough and 6 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, melted, and cooled in a large bowl; stir until blended. Coarsely chop three 1.4 ounce Skor bars. Add 2/3 of the chopped candy bars to dough mixture; stir to combine. Spoon into lined pan; spread to cover bottom. Combine remaining candy bars, 1/3 cup milk chocloate chips, 1/3 cup pecans, chopped and 1/4 cup mini marshmallows in a small bowl. Sprinkle over dough; then press lightly to adhere. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift onto cutting board. Cut square brownies using a serrated knife.

BASIC VANILLA COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Proceed with variations:Thumbprints and Ball CookiesShaped Icebox CookiesLayered Icebox CookiesGlazed Spritz CookiesCutout Cookies

BASIC ICEBOX COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients and beat well.
• Stir in the next 3 ingredients, blend well.
• If using nuts, add them now.
• Divide dough into 3 equal parts and shape each part into a 1 1/2" diameter roll.
• Wrap the rolls in saran wrap and put in fridge until firm, at least 2 hours.
• At this point, you can do one of three things: Bake, freeze, or refrigerate.
• To bake: Cut dough into 1/4" slices and bake 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet at 425°F for 5-7 minutes, or until golden.
• Remove immediately from sheets and cool completely.
• To refrigerate:Leave in saran wrap and use within 2 weeks.
• To freeze: Leave in saran wrap and use within 6 weeks.

BASIC SPRITZ COOKIE DOUGH FOR PRESSED COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Cream shortening, butter and sugar well. Beat in egg and vanilla Sift together dry ingredients. Gradually blend dry ingredients with butter mixture. Fill cookie press and form cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. (I line my cookie sheets with parchment paper.) Bake at 375 degree F. 10-12 minutes. Yield 60-70 cookies.

BASIC SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy (1 to 2 minutes). Add egg and vanilla and continue beating until mixture looks smooth (2 minutes). Incorporate flour and salt into butter mixture in low speed. Scrape down sides if bowl. Shape into 2 disks. Wrap disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Roll out, cut into desired shapes and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven on lightly greased cookie sheets for 8 to 10 minutes.

BASIC BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat together butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in yolks, 1 at a time, and vanilla and beat until smooth. Beat in flour gradually, beating dough until just combined well.

BASIC SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH FROM GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Steps:

• On waxed paper, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar 1 minute or until creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Add egg and vanilla, beat until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour mixture just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl. **This recipe calls for butter with no substitutions because the butter not only gives the best flavor, but also makes the dough more manageable. Margarines and spreads are too soft to produce a dough that can be rolled easily.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.
• Heat oven to 400*.
• Lightly flour your rolling surface, roll out 1/3 of the dough at a time. Keep remaining dough refrigerated.
• Place cut cookies about an inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 5 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown. Remove immediately from cookie sheets place onto cooling racks.

BASIC ADAPTABLE COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Cream the butter and sugar together until they're light and fluffy.
• Add the egg yolk and mix well. Then add the flour and salt, and vanilla extract or lemon.
• Now comes the fun part! Add about 50g of whatever other ingredients you like! Good combinations to try are dark chocolate and orange, white chocolate and lemon, and date and pecan. Hundreds and thousands mixed into the dough are really colourful and great for kids!
• Mix the flour and your added extras until it all comes together to form a sticky cookie dough.
• Put the dough onto a floured work surface, and roll into a thick sausage shape. The size of the sausage depends how big you want your cookies: make it long and thin to get the most out, but they'll be smaller.
• Wrap the sausage of cookie dough in clingfilm and leave in the freezer for at least 1 hour. While it's in there, preheat the oven to 190C (375F/Gas mark 6).
• Take the sausage of cookie dough out of the freezer: it should be firmer and easier to cut. Use a sharp knife to slice it, as thick as you like, and put the cookie slices onto a baking sheet, spaced quite far apart. If you need to bake them in more than one batch, wrap the excess dough and put it back into the freezer so it doesn't go soft.
• Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, then leave to cool. They're great plain, but you can spread each one with a teaspoon of coloured or flavoured icing.

BASIC BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Place flour, sugar, butter, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process until mixture is the texture of coarse meal.
• In a small bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and vanilla; with motor running, add to food processor. Process just until a dough forms.
• Icebox Butter Cookies:.
• Divide dough in half; form into two 2-inch square logs, each approximately 5½ inches long. Wrap logs in waxed paper; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice dough crosswise, 3/16 inch thick; carefully transfer slices to baking sheets.
• If decorating, brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar or sprinkles. Bake until edges are firm (not brown), 10 to 15 minutes. Cool 1 to 2 minutes on baking sheets; cool completely on a rack.
• Store finished cookies in an airtight container, up to 2 weeks.
• Rolled Cut-outs:.
• Divide dough in half; form into two ½-inch-thick disks. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm, at least 1 hour.

BASIC SPICE COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Beat butter & sugar in large bowl at medium speed til light & fluffy; beat egg in well & beat in molasses. Beat flour, allspice, ginger & soda in at low speed til thoroughly blended & smooth. Refrigerate in plastic 1 1/2-2 hours. Heat oven to 350F. Work 1/4 dough - refrig. rest. Roll out on lightly floured surface. Cut as desired. Place on ungreased sheets 1" apart. Bake 12-20 mins til firm. Cool on wire racks.

BASIC PRESSED & BALL COOKIE DOUGH (1950)

Steps:

• 1. Cream the butter , shortening and the sugar. Add egg yolks and the flavoring. Beat until light and fluffy. Sift together the dry ingredients and gradually add to the shortening mixture , blend thoroughly. Fill cookie press , form dough on unoiled cookie sheet. BAKE in a moderate oven 375° for 6-8 minutes. Yields 7 dozen posted by Mrs. Roy M.Carlson , Lake Bronson, Minn.
• 2. The following decorative designs can be applied to any of the designs. Colored sugars (or a blend of them), red-hots silver balls, finely ground coconut or nuts and grated chocolate make effective toppings if they are sprinkled on the cookies before they are baked. Grated lemon or orange rinds blended with small quantity of granulated sugar gives a pleasing finishing touch. If desired, the basic recipe dough may be tinted by blending in a few drops of vegetable coloring.
• 3. Plain Ball cookies are made of the basic pressed and balled cookie dough recipe. To form the balls , roll 1 teaspoon chilled dough between palms of hands. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.
• 4. VARIATIONS:
• 5. CEREAL: Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Dip into lightly beaten egg white ,coat lightly with crushed cereal flakes. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.--- Mrs. H.T. James , Silver Springs, Md.
• 6. CHOCOLATE: Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Roll into grated semi-sweet chocolate. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.--Mrs. W.L.Bourne, Humboldt, Neb.
• 7. COCONUT: Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Dip into lightly beaten egg white ,coat lightly with finely chopped coconut. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 10-12 minutes.--Dorthy Watson, Topeka, Kan.
• 8. DATE: Add 1/2 cup chopped dates to the basic dough recipe just before chilling. Blend thoroughly , chill several hours. Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.--Mrs. Alvie W. Dow, Belvidere, Neb.
• 9. RAISIN: Add 1/2 cup chopped raisins to the basic dough recipe just before chilling. Blend thoroughly , chill several hours. Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.--Mrs. M.G. Loftis, Battle Creek, Iowa.
• 10. NUT: Use 1 teaspoon of the chilled dough to form each ball. Dip into lightly beaten egg white ,coat lightly with finely chopped nuts , Space balls 3" apart on lightly oiled cookie sheet , BAKE in a moderate oven 350° for 12-15 minutes.--Mrs. Maurice Devening, New Castle, Ind.
• 11. The Household magazine decorated balls in the following ways. Indentations were made in the center of the unbaked balls. To obtain variety, chocolate bits , red-hots , small assorted decorative candies and chopped candied fruits were used.
• 12. If you do not own a cookie press , you can form your own designs, Here's a few suggestions: The ball may be formed into flat cookies with the bottom of a water glass which has been dipped in cold water and than in sugar. If the bottom of the glass has a sharply cut design , a pleasing effect is given to the cookie. If a fork is used to flatten the ball, crisscross or parallel lines give a decorative touch. Pecans or English walnuts halves used to flatten the balls leave an interesting design. If desired the nut halves may be baked on the cookies. Flattened ball cookies may be decorated as suggested for pressed cookies.

BASIC ALMOND COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• 1. Stir flour, almond, sugars and powder. Add butter to crumb, then add egg and vanilla. Turn onto a work surface and knead until smooth. Refrigerate wrapped in plastic, 2 hours. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll half the dough to 1/8" thick between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Cut or shape as desired, leaving unused dough in fridge. Place an inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets, bake 6-20 min. Cookie is done when firm to the touch and the edges are lightly browned. Store in airtight containers.
• 2. Walnut wreaths: Substitute 1/2 cup ground walnuts for almonds. Roll dough into 7 inch long rope, twist together in twos to form circles. Pinch ends to seal. Press walnuts into alternating sections of each wreath, press in red and green candied cherry pieces to look like bows. Bake 10-12 minutes, cool and sprinkle plain ends with powdered sugar.
• 3. Dutch Chocolate Sandwiches: Roll out dough, cut into 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch rectangles or 3 inch stars. Bake 6-7 minutes, cool. Spread half the cookies with 1 teaspoon of any flavor preserves. Top with remaining cookies. Dip each halfway into melted milk chocolate to coat.

BASIC COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined. 2. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture until just combined. Tear off 2 sheets of waxed paper, each about 12-inches. Spoon half the dough lengthwise down the center of each sheet of paper forming a strip about 8 inches long. With your hands, roll each strip into a log about 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. Wrap the logs up in the paper. 3. Freeze several hours until firm or freeze up to 3 months 4. To bake: preheat oven to 400. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap frozen dough and with a sharp knife, slice 1/4-inch thick. Bake until golden around the edges, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back. With a wide, thin metal spatula, remove from baking sheets to wire rack to cool completely. 1. Ginger Cookies: Add 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard powder to flour mixture. Beat 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger in to mixture when adding egg. 2. Peanut Cookies: Grind enough peanuts to make 1/3 cup finely ground. Reduce flour to 1 1/3 cups and stir ground peanuts into remaining flour mixture. Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped peanuts when adding egg. 3. Espresso-Almond Cookies: Add 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder to flour mixture. Reduce sugar to 2/3 cup and add 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar. Add 1/8 teaspoon almond extract when adding vanilla. Fold in 1/3 cup sliced almonds after adding flour. 4. Molasses Cookies: Increase flour to 1 3/4 cups, swap in 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar for 1/4 cup granulated, and add 3 tablespoons molasses when beating butter and sugar.