Basic Icebox Cookie Dough Food

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 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.

ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desire. , On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into three 10-in. x 1-in. rolls. Tightly wrap each roll in waxed paper. Freeze for at least 12 hours. , Cut into 3/8-in. slices and place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

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 ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine shortening and butter, beat for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, salt until combined. Scrape side of bowl. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat in flour and almonds.
• Divide dough in half; shaped into 10 inch long logs. If desired roll logs in additional chopped nuts. Wrap each log in plastic wrap. Chill 4 hours or until dough is firm enough to slice.
• Preheat oven to 375. Cut logs into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Transfer to wire racks; let cool.
• To Store: layer cookies between waxed paper in an airttight container; cover. Store at room temperaturea for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

FOUR-FLAVOUR ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream the butter and beat in the sugars, one at a time.
• Add the eggs and vanilla, beat well.
• Mix the flour, baking soda and salt.
• Work into the creamed mixture.
• Divide the dough into four equal parts.
• Mix the oats and cinnamon into one part.
• Melt the chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Mix the slightly cooled melted chocolate into the second part, along with the cocoa and a flavouring of your choice.
• Mix the lemon zest and juice, and dried cherries into the third part, along with the 1/4 cup flour.
• Toast the coconut lightly in an ungreased heavy skillet.
• Let cool and mix the coconut and minced ginger into the last part.
• Shape each flavoured dough into an even log, 2" in diameter.
• Roll up tightly in waxed paper or plastic.
• Chill from 1 hour to 24 hours until wanted.
• Logs can also be frozen; thaw ten minutes before slicing.
• Cut thin slices (about 1/4" thick) from each log and bake on a lightly greased baking sheet, at 375°F for about 10 minutes.
• They should be just very lightly browned.
• Place well apart, as they spread.
• The dough should still be quite chilled when it goes into the oven.