1 Simple Cookie Dough, 6 Different Ways

Yahoo Food
Updated
Customize Your Cookie
Customize Your Cookie

We’re going to guess you’ve got cookies in mind. Planning ahead for a stunning cookie swap (we totally are)? We’ve got just what you need to make your cookies the talk of the town.

In order to remain stress-free and still achieve optimum results, we recommend going with a classic icebox cookie. The recipe is straightforward, customizable, and you can chill it for up to 3 days before you slice and bake you treats. Here’s our Icebox Butter Cookie Recipe, followed by six of our top-ranked stir-ins (praline pecan, anyone?).

Icebox Butter Cookie
Icebox Butter Cookie


Icebox Butter Cookies
Makes: 8-10 dozen 
*Test Kitchen Tip: Bake 8 minutes for a soft and chewy cookie or up to 12 minutes for a crisp cookie. 

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened 
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
2 large eggs 
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
Parchment paper 

Preparation

  1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

  2. Stir together flour and next 2 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended after each addition.

  3. Shape dough into 4 logs (about 2 inches in diameter); wrap each log in plastic wrap. Chill 8 hours to 3 days.

  4. Preheat oven to 350°. Cut each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets to wire racks, and cool completely (about 20 minutes).

Stir-Ins (pictured above, clockwise from left)

  • Praline Pecan: Stir in 1 1/2 cups roasted glazed pecan pieces after adding flour mixture.

  • Rosemary-Berry: Stir in 1 cup finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries, 2 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary, and 2 Tbsp. orange zest after adding flour mixture.

  • Spiced Sweet Tea: Add 3 Tbsp. unsweetened instant tea mix, 2 Tbsp. orange zest, 1 Tbsp. lemon zest, and 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice with first 4 ingredients. Roll logs in Demerara sugar before chilling.

  • Lemon-Basil: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil, 2 Tbsp. lemon zest, and 2 Tbsp. poppy seeds with first 4 ingredients.

  • Java Chip: Add 3 Tbsp. instant coffee granules with first 4 ingredients; stir in 4 (1.4-oz.) chocolate-covered toffee candy bars, finely chopped, after adding flour mixture.

  • Lime-Coconut: Stir in 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, 1 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts, and 2 Tbsp. lime zest after adding flour mixture.