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The History of Cookie Dough
Cookies have been delighting taste buds for centuries, dating back to 7th century Persia when bakers first experimented with sugar to create small, sweet baked treats. These tasty morsels traveled through Europe and finally made their way to America by the early 17th century.
Fast forwarding to the 1930s, the invention of chocolate chip cookies only deepened the world’s appreciation for these delicious treats—and as the fame of this iconic cookie grew, so did everyone’s love for unbaked cookie dough. Home bakers couldn't resist nibbling on the irresistibly sweet, soft mixture while prepping their cookies for the oven. (That’s not food-safe, though, so we wouldn’t recommend it!) Over the decades, cookie dough has evolved from a secret indulgence to a celebrated treat in its own right, with bakers and even entire companies developing treats meant to be eaten unbaked. Some store-bought cookie doughs (like our ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough) are also safe to eat raw.
Whether you’re looking for a classic chocolate chip cookie dough recipe or a cookie dough with a unique flavor twist, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to bake up a batch of pure yumminess!
Cookie Dough Tips and Tricks
Creating perfect cookies is oh-so-easy with the right cookie dough tips and tricks! First, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for smooth mixing, and remember to measure them properly to keep the right balance of flavors and textures. If you want to avoid tough cookies, make sure you don’t overmix your cookie dough (which leads to more gluten development).
Once you’ve mixed up your dough, many recipes will instruct you to let it chill in your fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking. What does chilling cookie dough do? It helps solidify the fats and prevents your cookies from spreading too much in the oven, meaning your cookies turn out with a perfectly thick and chewy texture! The recipe you’re using should mention how long to chill the cookie dough for best results.
If you love a convenient make-ahead dessert, consider refrigerating your dough overnight or even freezing it for later. Here’s how to freeze cookie dough. Just shape it into small portions (or logs), wrap each portion tightly, and pop them in the freezer. When you're ready to bake some tasty cookies, just thaw your cookie dough in the fridge overnight to shape and bake your cookies the next day. Now you’re prepared to bake up delicious treats whenever the mood strikes!
Tasty Cookie Dough Mix-Ins
Whether you’re starting an easy cookie dough recipe from scratch or picking up refrigerated cookie dough at the grocery store, there are plenty of ways to jazz up any basic cookie dough with tasty mix-ins and add-ons! Popular, family-favorite cookie dough add-ins include chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, chopped candy pieces, chewy dried fruits, and various types of nuts. If you want to add some extra flavor to the base of your cookie dough, flavored extracts (like vanilla, almond, and peppermint) and aromatic spices are quick and easy ways to customize the taste. Once your cookies are baked, try adding a drizzle of sweet, gooey caramel, dunking them in melted dark chocolate, or decorating them with fun royal icing designs and some extra candies. There’s no limit to your creative freedom!