Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
-
Base Dough:
- 125g butter (softened)
- ½ cup (110g) white sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (280g) plain flour
- 2 Tablespoons cornflour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
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Mix-in Options (Choose One):
- Classic Chocolate Chip: ¾ cup chocolate chips
- Triple Chocolate Chunk: ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks, ¼ cup milk chocolate chunks, ¼ cup white chocolate chunks
- Cranberry and White Chocolate: ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Choc Nut: ½ cup chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Apricot Chocolate: ½ cup dried apricots (finely chopped), ½ cup dark chocolate chunks
- Sprinkles: ¾ cup sprinkles
- M&M’s: ¾ cup M&M’s
- Chai White Chocolate: ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Lemon Poppyseed: ⅓ cup poppyseeds, zest from 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour, cornflour, baking powder, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Add Mix-ins:
- Stir in your chosen mix-ins until evenly distributed.
- Shape Dough:
- Divide dough into two halves and shape each into a 20cm (8-inch) log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or freeze for later use).
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Unwrap chilled dough, slice into 1cm (½-inch) thick rounds, and place on a lined baking tray, spacing 2-3 cm apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn golden.
- Cool & Store:
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Why Choose Slice-and-Bake Cookies?
1. Convenience and Time-Saving
One of the biggest advantages of slice-and-bake cookies is their convenience. The dough can be prepared in advance, rolled into logs, and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Whenever you’re ready for fresh cookies, simply slice the dough and bake no need to mix ingredients every time. This makes them a fantastic option for meal prepping or holiday baking.
2. Perfect for Gifting and Special Occasions
These cookies are ideal for gifting. Whether you’re making holiday cookie boxes, birthday treats, or just a thoughtful homemade present, the ability to prepare multiple flavors in advance makes it easy to create a beautiful cookie assortment. Wrap the dough logs in festive paper or store them in airtight containers, and they make a wonderful DIY food gift.
3. Customizable Flavors for Everyone
From rich chocolate varieties to fruity and nutty combinations, this recipe allows for endless creativity. You can experiment with different flavors, mix-ins, and even add your personal touch by including spices, zests, or extracts. The base dough is versatile and pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
Exploring the 9 Flavor Variations
1. Classic Chocolate Chip
A timeless favorite, chocolate chip cookies are beloved by all. The perfect balance of crisp edges and a soft, chewy center makes these a go-to choice for any occasion.
2. Triple Chocolate Chunk
For serious chocolate lovers, this version includes a mix of dark, milk, and white chocolate chunks. The combination of different chocolate types adds depth to the flavor and makes each bite a delightful surprise.
3. Cranberry and White Chocolate
This variation combines tart dried cranberries with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate. It’s a great option for holiday baking or when you want a fruity twist on traditional cookies.
4. Choc Nut
A rich and crunchy option, choc nut cookies blend chocolate chips with chopped walnuts for a satisfying texture. You can also substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds based on your preference.
5. Apricot Chocolate
Dried apricots add a sweet and slightly tangy contrast to dark chocolate chunks, making this flavor a sophisticated and delicious choice. The chewiness of apricots combined with the richness of dark chocolate creates a perfect balance.
6. Sprinkles
A fun and colorful choice, sprinkle cookies are great for kids and celebrations. The addition of bright sprinkles makes them visually appealing, and they add a slight crunch to every bite.
7. M&M’s
For a pop of color and a playful twist, M&M’s cookies are always a hit. The candy-coated chocolates add extra sweetness and crunch while maintaining a soft, chewy texture inside.
8. Chai White Chocolate
A warming and aromatic option, chai white chocolate cookies feature cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves for a cozy, spiced flavor. These cookies pair perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
9. Lemon Poppyseed
Bright and citrusy, this variation includes fresh lemon zest and poppyseeds, giving the cookies a refreshing flavor with a slight crunch. They are perfect for spring and summer treats.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Slice-and-Bake Cookies
1. Use Quality Ingredients
Since this is a simple recipe, the quality of the ingredients matters. Use real butter for the best flavor and texture. Fresh eggs, high-quality vanilla extract, and good chocolate will also enhance the taste of your cookies.
2. Chill the Dough Properly
Chilling the dough is crucial for slice-and-bake cookies. It helps firm up the dough, making it easier to slice, and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. If you’re short on time, you can freeze the dough for about 30 minutes instead of refrigerating it for two hours.
3. Use a Sharp Knife for Even Slices
A sharp knife ensures clean and even slices, which helps the cookies bake uniformly. If the dough is too hard to slice straight from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting.
4. Adjust Baking Time for Texture Preferences
For soft and chewy cookies, bake them on the lower end of the suggested baking time. If you prefer crispier cookies, bake them a little longer until the edges turn golden brown.
5. Experiment with Mix-ins and Toppings
Feel free to get creative with additional mix-ins such as nuts, dried fruits, toffee bits, or spices. You can also drizzle baked cookies with melted chocolate or sprinkle sea salt on top for an extra flavor boost.
Storing and Freezing the Dough
Refrigerating the Dough
Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, the dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. This allows you to bake fresh cookies anytime with minimal effort.
Freezing for Long-Term Storage
If you want to keep the dough for longer, freezing is a great option. Slice-and-bake cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To freeze, wrap the dough logs in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, slice the dough straight from the freezer and add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Why These Cookies Are a Must-Try
Slice-and-bake cookies are a fantastic addition to any home baker’s repertoire. They are easy to prepare, require minimal active time, and allow for a wide range of flavors and variations. Whether you’re making a batch for yourself, sharing with friends and family, or giving them as gifts, these cookies will always be a crowd-pleaser.
With nine different flavors to choose from, you can customize your cookies to suit any mood or occasion. Try experimenting with new mix-ins or combining different flavors to create something uniquely yours.
Conclusion:
Slice-and-bake cookies are a perfect example of how simple ingredients and techniques can create delicious results. With a versatile base dough and multiple mix-in options, this recipe allows for endless creativity while offering the convenience of make-ahead baking.
Whether you prefer classic chocolate chip, fruity combinations, or warm spices, there’s a flavor for everyone. The ability to store and freeze the dough makes these cookies perfect for busy days or unexpected guests.