Basic Cookie Dough Food

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 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 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.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Microwave the flour in a small microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Remove and stir well. Microwave for an additional minute or until the temperature reaches 180 degrees F. Sift into a medium bowl, then whisk in the baking soda and salt (see Cook's Note).
• Beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, yogurt and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until well incorporated. (Turn off the beaters and use your hands to help combine if needed.) Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula or mix them in with your hands.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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.

CHOOSE A COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Basic Directions:
• In a large mixing bowl beat the shortening and butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
• Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and baking soda. Beat until fluffy.
• Add eggs and vanilla, beat until combined.
• Beat or stir in flour.
• Use the dough immediately, or cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
• Drop slightly rounded tablespoon of cookie dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375°F, for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
• Remove the cookies and cool on a wire rack.
• Makes about 48 cookies.
• Fruit Oatmeal Rounds:
• Prepare dough as directed, but substitute 1 cup of rolled oats for 1 cup of flour.
• Stir 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into flour mixture.
• Also stir a 6 ounce package of mixed dried fruit bits or raisins into the dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Peanut Butter Buddies:
• Prepare dough as directed, but add 1/2 cup peanut butter along with eggs and vanilla.
• Also, stir a 12 ounce package of peanut butter chips in to dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Malted Milk Treats:
• Prepare dough as directed, but substitute 1/4 cup instant malted milk powder for 1/4 cup of flour.
• Also, stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped-up malt balls into dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Macadamia Mania:
• Prepare dough as directed, but stir 2 cups of coarsely chopped white chocolate baking bar and 3 1/2 ounce of Macadamia nuts into dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Double Chocolate Delights:
• Prepare dough as directed, but substitute 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder for 1/2 cup of flour.
• Also, stir a 12 ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chip pieces into dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Chocolate Candy Cookies:
• Prepare dough as directed, but stir 2 cups of candy-coated milk chocolate pieces into dough.
• Bake as directed.
• Super-Chunk Chippers:
• Prepare dough as directed, but stir 1 cup of coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, 1 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate and 1 cup chopped pecans into the dough.
• Drop dough from a 1/4 cup measuring cup about 4 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Flatten the cookies slightly with a spoon.
• Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are slightly browned.
• Make 18 cookies.
• Note:.
• To make a variation in advance, wrap the dough in freezer wrap, and freeze for up to 6 months.
• Before baking, thaw dough overnight in the refrigerator.
• Bake as directed.

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

EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in vanilla extract and salt. Add flour; mix until a crumbly dough forms. Mix in milk. Fold in milk chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips.

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.

BECEL® ANYTHING GOES COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat Becel® Original margarine with sugars in large bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla until blended. Gradually add in flour mixture; beat just until blended. Add your choice of mix in's (i.e. chocolate chip, dried fruit, seeds, toffee bits, etc.). Drop by tablespoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets, 2-inches (5 cm) apart.
• Bake 7 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool 2 minutes on wire rack; remove cookies from sheets and cool completely.

BASIC COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Cream the butter in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or in a stand mixer until it is soft. Add the sugar and keep beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Sift in the flour and add the optional ingredients, if you're using them. Bring the mixture together with your hands in a figure-of-eight motion until it forms a dough. You can freeze the dough at this point.
• Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them slightly apart from each other on a baking sheet (you don't need to butter or line it). Flatten the balls a little with the palm of your hand and bake them in the oven for around 10-12 mins until they are golden brown and slightly firm on top. Leave the cookies on a cooling rack for around 15 mins before serving.

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 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 MIX

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
• Sift the mixture twice.
• Store in a tightly covered, labeled container for up to 3 months in a cool, dry place.
• For Sugar Cookies use: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
• With lightly floured hands, shape the dough into 1" balls; arrange them about 2" apart on 2 lightly greased 13" X 9" baking sheets Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
• Let cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheets; using a spatula, transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
• The cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 1 wk.
• For Chocolate Chip Cookies use: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine the Basic Cookie Mix, butter, egg, and vanilla.
• Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, distributing them well.
• With lightly floured hands, shape the dough into 1" balls; arrange them about 2" apart on 2 lightly greased 13" X 9" baking sheets Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
• Let cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheets; using a spatula, transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
• The cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 1 wk.

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.