Master cookie dough

Make several variations from one master cookie dough recipe.

I used to be quite adept at making cookies. It was one of the first things I learned to cook. I worked at an establishment where cookies were to be available every afternoon.  Instead of creating two or three seperate batches of cookies, I made a basic cookie recipe. With the basic cookie batter/dough in hand, I could create several different kinds of cookies in and instant.

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BASIC COOKIE DOUGH
I really like this recipe because it is easy to handle. You roll the dough into balls. This is great to help in getting nice round beautiful cookies.


To make the basic cookie dough you will need

1/2 pound margarine (or you can use butter and 1 Tablespoon water)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
Cream these ingredients together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes) then add
3 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
5 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
mix all this together into quite a stiff batter

roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter
place about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets
bake in a 350 oven for 8-10 minutes on a middle rack
 remove just as bottom and edges start to turn brown (You want them to still be chewey in the center).
Let the cookied cool on the pan for about 5 minutes to finish cooking and firm up, then remove from pan to finish cooling.


Once you have the basic dough creating many flavors is easy;  divide the dough, then mix in extra ingredients, roll, and bake as in the basic recipe.
COOKIE DOUGH VARIATIONS (mix ins)


Chocolate chip
to half the master dough add
 1/2-3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla

buttersotch chip
to half the master dough add
1/2 cup butterscotch chips

maccadamia white chocolate
to half the master dough add
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2-3 Tablespoons chopped  maccadamia nuts

M&M
to half the master dough add
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/2-3/4 cup M&M candy coated chocolate peices

candycane /white chocolate chip
to half the master dough add
 2 Tablespoon crushed candycane peices
1/2 cup white chocolate peices

Coconut
to half of the master cookie dough recipe add
1/2 cup coconut


Granola crunch
to half the master cookie dough recipe add
add 1/2 cup crushed granola clusters


cornflake
to half the master cookie dough add
1/2 Tablespoon milk
3/4 cup crushed cornflakes cereal

Oatmeal raisin graham
to half the master cookie dough recipe add
1 Tablespoon milk
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup raisins

peanut butter
to half of the master cookie dough recipe add
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional)
roll into 1 inch balls, toss balls in sugar to coat. place on baking sheet and flatten with a fork, turn the pan halfway, and press with a fork again to create a crosshatch pattern.


cranberry orange (my favorite and most requested cookie recipe)
to half the master cookie dough recipe add
1/2 Tablespoon orange juice concentrate (can use straight from the freezer)
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/2-3/4 cup dried cranberries


cinnamon sugar  (Similar to snickerdoodles) Not quite as good as the classic recipe I still use a classic recipe when I want real good snickerdoodles.
roll the dough into one inch balls then roll in a mix of
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon

caramel filled cookies
wrap the dough around a rolo (chocolate caramel candy)
you can also use other small miniature size chocoate candy bars
(snickers, milkyway etc.)


I love being able to divide the dough into parts quickly making several flavors. It makes it real easy to set up a holiday cookie tray this time of year. These recipes are for half the dough, It would be really easy to divide the dough in thirds and make three kinds of cookies. All you have to do is adjust the mix-ins a little, or leave it. (who cares if you have extra chocolate chips in the mix, some will add extra anyways).

HAPPY BAKING