Name: All-in-One Sugar Cookie Dough
Yield: Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; electric mixer, cookie cutters (if making roll-and-cut cookies)

All-in-One Sugar Cookie DoughPhoto by Tara Donne, food and prop styling by Diana Yen

If you want to make classic sugar cookies for decorating, this is your dough. Heck, if you want to make any cookie, this is your dough: Just add your choice of mix-ins to create endless delicious variations. Bonus: this dough works for roll-and-cut and slice-and-bake cookies (yep, including sandwiches).

DO AHEAD:

Cookie dough can be made 3 days ahead, wrapped tightly, and chilled, or frozen for up to 3 months. Cookies can be baked (left undecorated) 2 weeks ahead, wrapped tightly, and frozen for up to 3 months.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Special equipment:

electric mixer, cookie cutters (if making roll-and-cut cookies)

Preparation

Step 1
In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until well combined and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low and gradually blend in the flour mixture; mix until just combined.
For roll-and-cut cookies:
Step 2
Form dough into two equal-sized balls and flatten into discs. Wrap both in plastic and chill at least 1 hour.
Step 3
Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Prepare a well-floured surface and a well-floured rolling pin to help keep the dough from sticking. Working with one disc at a time, roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out as many cookies as possible with cookie cutters (if dough becomes too soft, chill until firm). Arrange cookies 1 1/2 inches apart on two ungreased baking sheets and chill 15 minutes. Gather scraps, form into a small disc, and chill until firm.
Step 4
Bake cookies until golden brown at edges (rotating baking sheets and switching position on racks halfway through), 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
Step 5
Roll out the second disc of dough and scraps (reroll scraps only once) and bake on cooled baking sheets. Transfer to racks to cool completely. Decorate, if desired.
For slice-and-bake cookies:
Step 6
Halve dough and form into two logs, 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap logs in plastic and roll to form a more uniform round shape. Chill at least 2 hours.
Step 7
Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Slice cookies into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and arrange 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake cookies until golden brown at edges (rotating baking sheets and switching position on racks halfway through), 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely. Decorate, if desired.
VARIATIONS:
Step 8
Pistachio-Cranberry: After blending the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, add 3/4 cup dried unsweetened cranberries and 3/4 cup chopped pistachios. Mix gently to incorporate.
Step 9
Lemon-Thyme: After blending the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon picked fresh thyme leaves. Mix gently to incorporate. After baked cookies have cooled, make a simple glaze, if desired: whisk together 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk. Spoon a small amount onto the center of each cookie and top with additional lemon zest and thyme leaves.
Step 10
Chai-Spiced with Crystallized Ginger: When combining the dry ingredients, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon ground clove, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger. After blending the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, add 3/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger. Mix gently to incorporate. Sprinkle with sanding sugar or sugar in the raw, if desired, before baking.
Step 11
Carrot Cake: When combining the dry ingredients, whisk in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. After blending the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, add 3/4 cup finely grated carrot and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. Mix gently to incorporate.
Step 12
To make Carrot-Cake Sandwich Cookies: Follow the slice-and-bake method above to bake cookies. To make sandwich filling, use an electric mixer to beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter on medium-high until smooth and fluffy. Add 8 ounces room temperature bar cream cheese and beat until well blended. Add 2 1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix on medium-low until well combined. Spread 2 to 3 teaspoons of filling on the flat side of a baked cookie, and then top with another cookie (domed side up) to form a sandwich. Repeat with the rest of the cookies.
Step 13
Mocha: Whisk 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder into the dry ingredients. Follow the rest of the procedure as written above in the base recipe.
Step 14
To make Mocha-Caramel Sandwich Cookies: Follow the slice-and-bake method above to bake cookies. To assemble the sandwiches, spread homemade or store-bought dulce de leche caramel on the flat side of a baked cookie, then top with another cookie (domed side up) to form a sandwich. Repeat with the rest of the cookies.