Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Basic Vanilla Cookie Dough 3.9 (523) 5 Reviews By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 14, 2022 Print Rate It 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 Rate it Print