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Basic Cookie Recipe

Photo: Basic Cookie Recipe

TOTAL TIME: 45 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
 
YIELD: 35 cookies
LEVEL: Easy

ingredients

  • Ground spices, optional
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon, optional
recipe tools

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Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl or in a food mixer, cream the butter until soft. Add the sugar, and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Sift in the flour, and spices, if using, or grated zest, if using, and bring the mixture together to form the dough.

Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut-size balls, and place them slightly apart on an ungreased baking tray. Flatten the balls slightly with the back of a damp fork, and bake in the oven until they are light golden brown and slightly firm on top, about 13 to 15 minutes.

Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Variations:
Poppy seed: Add 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the flour.

Lemon: Add the finely grated zest of 1 lemon to the flour.

Orange: Add the finely grated zest of 1 orange to the flour.

White chocolate and orange: Dip the tops of the orange cookies in 50 grams (2 ounces) melted white chocolate, and then let set on parchment or waxed paper.

Spices: cinnamon, mixed spice, ginger: Add 1 teaspoon of a ground spice to the flour.

Crystallized ginger and dark chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger to the flour. When the cookies are baked and cooled, dip the tops in 2 ounces melted dark chocolate, and then let set on parchment or waxed paper.

Double chocolate chip: Use 9 ounces all-purpose flour, and add 2 ounces sifted cocoa powder to the flour. Bring the dough together and mix in 4 1/2 ounces dark or white chocolate chips.

White chocolate and dried cranberry: Add 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries to the flour. When the cookies are baked and cooled, dip the tops in 2 ounces melted white chocolate and let set on parchment or waxed paper.

Notes

This recipe is a basis for many combinations. Experiment with ingredients - flavorings, dried fruits, nuts, spices and even herbs, such as lavender to find your favorite.

Cooks Note

Roll the leftover dough into a log shape, 3/4 to 1 1/4-inches in diameter, and then leave in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to a couple of months. To bake: cut off slices, about 1/2-inch thick, and bake on a baking tray in a preheated oven. Always remove the cookies from their baking trays while they are still warm, otherwise they will stick.

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4

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 3 reviews

  • on August 01, 2012

    Flag

    These cookies are amazing!! I love butter cookies and these are buttery, rich, and EASY to make. I added the zest of 1 lemon and 1/2c of white chocolate chips. I then drizzled them with some lemon glaze ( 2/3c confectioners sugar & 2 TBSP freshly squeezed lemon.

    My kids ask for these cookies by name. Thanks Rachel Allen!!!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on February 11, 2012

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    This is my go to cookie recipe! I love it - it's not too sweet and is light and delicate. I bake these cookies and bring to get togethers and everyone raves about them. Sometimes I replace about an ounce of flour with some ground almonds (almond flour or Almond meal and some almond extract or vanilla extract along with the lemon zest. Other times I put some wholewheat pastry flour to try to be healthy!! Or some cocoa and ground ginger.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 24, 2011

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    I don't even want to rate this, I was so disappointed in this recipe! Not only did the cookie crumble to pieces.. it tasted like sweet butter.. Absolutely the worst I've ever made.

    people found this review Helpful.
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