How To Make Basic Cookie Dough Recipe

Ingredients

For this basic cookie dough recipe, you will need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional add-ins:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup dried fruit

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make the perfect basic cookie dough:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Mix in the vanilla extract.
6. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, a little at a time, mixing until just combined.
7. If desired, stir in your favorite add-ins.
8. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
9. Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown.
11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies!

Nutrition

Here's the nutritional information for this basic cookie dough recipe:

• Serving size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 140
• Total fat: 6g
• Saturated fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 105mg
• Total carbohydrates: 20g
• Dietary fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 13g
• Protein: 1g

Keep in mind that the nutritional information will vary depending on the add-ins you choose to use.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

Here are a few tips to help you achieve perfect cookies every time:

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature before using it. This will help it cream better with the sugar.
• Don't overmix your dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
• Chill your dough before baking. This will help the cookies keep their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
• Use parchment paper on your baking sheet. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
• Bake your cookies in the center of the oven for even cooking.
• Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set and prevent them from breaking apart.
• Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Variations

While this basic cookie dough recipe is delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to your liking by adding in your favorite ingredients. Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate chip cookies: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
• Nutty cookies: Add 1 cup of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the dough.
• Fruit cookies: Add 1 cup of dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries, to the dough.
• Oatmeal cookies: Substitute 1 cup of the flour for rolled oats and add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to the dough.
• Peanut butter cookies: Substitute 1/2 cup of the butter for creamy peanut butter and add 1 cup of chopped peanut butter cups to the dough.
• M&M cookies: Add 1 cup of M&Ms to the dough.

Conclusion

With this basic cookie dough recipe, you can create endless variations of your favorite cookies. Whether you prefer chocolate chip, oatmeal, or peanut butter, this recipe is the perfect starting point for all your cookie creations. So why not whip up a batch today and enjoy a delicious treat!