1 Cookie Dough - Endless Variations!

Confident Levelled Recipe

3/4/20243 min read

brown and purple bread in brown cardboard box
brown and purple bread in brown cardboard box

Confident Levelled Recipe - Safely works with unpasteurized Ingredients such as eggs and flour!

Oh, how I love how this recipe is an endless recipe that can have your heart go in many directions!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup butter, softened but cool to the touch

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark - your choice!)

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 2 large eggs, cold

  • 2 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, you can up to 1 teaspoon (as per preference)

PROCESS:

  • Preheat your oven to 375° F and be sure to have the rack in the middle of the oven!
    *I have the best result baking one tray at a time!*

  • Cut the butter into cubes and mix on low only until mixed.
    *This should take a couple of seconds*

  • Mix in both sugars (granulated sugar, brown sugar) along with the vanilla. Slowly mix only until creamy and homogeneous!

  • Incorporate the eggs by slowly mixing until a smooth mixture forms.
    *At this step it would be beneficial to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl*

  • Add the flour, baking soda, salt + Flavor variation to the mixture. Only mix until all is incorporated.


    To Bake:

  • Prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper and begin scooping your cookies!
    *I love making big, thick cookies - so I use the 3 Tablespoon sized scoop!*

  • Scoop a maximum of 6 cookies per baking sheet, all evenly spaced out.

  • Using two fingers, slightly flatten your cookie just a bit!

  • Bake at 375F for 11-14 minutes - or better yet, to 180F of an internal temperature!
    *To measure the internal temperature, you would require a food thermometer!
    In my option, it has been one of my greatest baking investments!*
    *To know if they are done, the cookies should NOT look wet/raw in the middle.
    They should be uniform at the top and slightly golden.*

  • Cool on baking sheets for at least 20 minutes to allow them to finish setting.

    Notes:

  • If you use a 3 Tablespoon cookie scoop, you will get about 18 cookies (depending on the flavor variation!)

  • If you use a 1 & 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop, you will get about 36 cookies (depending on the flavor variation!). Also note that the baking TIME will decrease to about 8 - 10 minutes! Internal temperature to check for is still 180F! The time it'll take to achieve said internal temperature will be quicker! So test it out!

FLAVOR VARIATIONS:
Essentially the rule of thumb I give myself is that you have 2 cups worth of deliciousness to add!

Some classic flavor ideas include:

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies - Add 2 cups of chocolate chips!

  • Double Chocolate - Add 2 teaspoons of cocoa, & 2 cups of chocolate chips - of any type!
    *Use your imagination - white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet etc.!*

  • Funfetti/Birthday Cake - 1 cup of sprinkles, & 1 cup of white chocolate chips!

  • Macadamia Nut Cookie - 1 cup of white chocolate chips, 1 cup of macadamia nuts!

  • White Chocolate Pistachio Raspberry - 2/3 cup white chocolate chips, 2/3 cup pistachio pieces, 2/3 cup dried raspberries

  • Monster Cookies - 2/3 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, 2/3 cup white chocolate chips, 2/3 cup crushed chocolate chip cookies
    *If you want the iconic blue, add blue gel food coloring gradually until you achieve the shade you desire. An added and fun bonus is to add candy eye-balls after baking - attach them with melted white chocolate!!

NOTES ON FLAVOURING & DECOR:

  • To add a distinct flavor, do not be afraid to use a different extract when doing your dough! Feel free to use any of your favorite flavors!

  • Be super mindful of what you do place in the dough! I find candies like candy canes change the consistency of the dough while baking! Thus, I would at most, use crushed pieces as a décor piece AFTER baking and use an extract (in this case peppermint) to change the flavoring of the dough.

  • For aesthetic purposes, add additional flavoring on top of the cookie after you flatten them out!
    For instance, add some chocolate chips on top of the flat cookie, before baking to have some non hidden gems on top of your cookies!
    For instance, when making funfetti/birthday cake cookies, add some sprinkles on top of the cookie to make them extra festive!