Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Basic Vanilla Cookie Dough 3.9 (523) 5 Reviews By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 14, 2022 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins For tinted cookies, add drops of gel-paste food coloring once the flour is incorporated. If you'd like to try a variation, see what ingredients to add: Spice Cookie Dough, Chocolate Cookie Dough, Citrus Cookie Dough. Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking powder (omit if making thumbprints, ball cookies, or spritz cookies) ½ teaspoon salt 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Directions Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Proceed with variations:Thumbprints and Ball CookiesShaped Icebox CookiesLayered Icebox CookiesGlazed Spritz CookiesCutout Cookies Print