This basic cookie dough recipe will give you 5 different types of cookies, each of which is highlighted in our 20 Days of Christmas Cookies series .

Once you are comfortable making this easy, plain-cookie dough recipe, you will get creative on your own and begin to try different mix-ins and spices to create your own cookie dough. It’s also a great recipe on how to make cookie dough without brown sugar. I wouldn’t use it in place of a traditional chocolate chip cookie dough or peanut butter cookie dough, but for almost all other cookie recipes, it works wonderfully.

The secret to success for this cookie dough is to have the dough consistency the same as the feel of your earlobe. In other words, mix it thoroughly, and touch it slightly while using your other hand to gently touch your earlobe. If they feel the same, you have the right consistency. I know it sounds crazy, just trust me, it works.

Ingredients

5 cups of All-Purpose Flour

2 cups of sugar

1 stick of softened butter

1 stick of softened margarine

4 eggs (room temperature)

4 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Using a heavy-duty stand mixer, cream the butter, margarine, sugar, and eggs until well mixed.

2. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, and mix thoroughly.