THE DOUGH THAT DOES IT ALL
Imagine having one, very easy cookie dough recipe that not only makes buttery, sugary, chewy-crisp cookies but also easily transforms into a variety of treats from chocolate chip to snickerdoodle, thumbprints to holiday-themed cutouts?
⬤ I’ve found the dough that does it all.
⬤ How can one cookie dough be so versatile? The base is simple: creamy, buttery-sweet and laced with vanilla, which makes it easy to pair with nearly any other flavor or texture.
What can you make with this dough?
This cookie dough is amazing on its own and can be used right away to make classic sugar cookies. But the possibilities are endless. I made chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodles, jam thumbprints with strawberry preserves, chocolate kiss cookies and classic cutouts with icing and decorations.
If you want to try different add-ins — like peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, dried cranberries or cherries, peanut butter or butterscotch chips — you can simply follow the chocolate chip cookie instructions.
If you’re a citrus fan, fold in a teaspoon or two of freshly grated lemon or orange zest.
For thumbprints, use your favorite fruit preserve or make a variety with raspberry, blackberry, apricot and orange marmalades or fill them up with Nutella or caramel.
The only extra step you’ll need to take is for cutout cookies. Chilled dough is less “sticky” and much easier to roll out and cut into shapes. So after you make the recipe below, shape the dough into a disc so it chills more quickly, wrap it in plastic wrap and set it in the fridge to chill until firm, 30 to 60 minutes.
Can you make dough in advance?
This ultra-versatile cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to two weeks before baking. Just be sure to wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap before storing.
In the freezer, it lasts even longer. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, pop it in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. when you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator. If you’re pressed for time, you can also thaw the dough on the counter at room temperature for about 30 minutes.