Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 3 votes

Basic Cookie Dough

This basic cookie dough is versatile to add a variety of mix-ins! It’s easy to personalize this recipe how you like. 

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Chilling time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 29 cookies
Calories: 80 kcal
Course: Dessert , Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup +1 tablespoon butter (softened) (166g total, if you double the recipe then double this amount)
  • ⅓ cup +1½ tablespoons granulated sugar (85g total, if you double the recipe then double this amount)
  • 1 pinch salt (if using unsalted butter add ¼ teaspoon salt)
  • 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
  • ¾-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl cream the butter, sugar and salt until fluffy, 2-3 minutes, add the yolk and vanilla and beat together, sift in the flour and combine on low until just combined. If you are adding addins then add them just after adding the flour. Cover the bowl and refrigerate one hour. The dough can also be shaped into a log and wrapped and chilled.
  2. Remove the dough from the fridge and either slice and bake, roll into balls (golf ball size) or roll and cut out with cookie cutters. Place the balls and flatten slightly with a fork, the cut out cookies or the slices on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Chill while the oven is pre-heating.
  3. Pre-heat the oven to 350F / 180C.
  4. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or lightly golden. Let cool 10 minutes on the cookie sheet then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can change up the vanilla extract with almond, lemon, orange flavoring (or your favourite). You can add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, coconut and even chopped candy canes for the holidays. You could drizzle with melted chocolate. This dough is perfect to make how you like.
  • Store: If you love a make-ahead dough, this basic cookie dough recipe can be made ahead up to 3 days in advance. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. I recommended adding mix-ins before storing.
  • Freeze: Freeze either the cookie dough or cookie dough balls in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw before baking: These cookies are best thawed before baking. I recommend thawing in the refrigerator so they stay chilled.

Nutrition Information

Calories 80kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 6mg (2%) Sodium 51mg (2%) Potassium 12mg (0%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 195IU (4%) Vitamin C 0.01mg (0%) Calcium 4mg (0%) Iron 0.4mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 29cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 80

% Daily Value*

Calories 80kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 51mg 2%
Potassium 12mg 0%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 195IU 4%
Vitamin C 0.01mg 0%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0.4mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.