One Dough Cookie Recipes: Add Anything Cookies with Endless Mix-Ins

If you’ve ever wondered which cookies to make, or how to please everyone with one batch of dough, these one dough cookie recipes solve that problem in the simplest way possible. This is a single, reliable cookie dough that can be divided and turned into several different cookie flavors in one baking session.

This easy method works especially well for school lunches and family baking. You mix up one plain cookie dough, separate it into portions, and then add different mix-ins to each bowl. Chocolate chips, peanut butter, raisins, butterscotch pretzels, sea salt caramel, and more all start from the same base.

The result is a tray of mixed cookies where everyone gets their favorite, without the extra work of making multiple doughs. It’s a practical way to bake for families, picky eaters, and busy weeks.

Most classic drop cookies begin with the same basic ingredients, with flavor added at the end. This plain cookie dough recipe is intentionally large and makes about four dozen generously sized cookies, divided into four different flavors. You can easily halve the recipe to make two flavors instead.

Why One Dough Cookie Recipes Work So Well

One dough cookie recipes work so well because most classic drop cookies start with the same basic ingredients. The flavor is usually added at the end, which makes it easy to customize one batch of dough instead of mixing several separate recipes.

By starting with a plain, reliable cookie dough, you can divide it into portions and create different cookie flavors using simple mix-ins. This method saves time, reduces dishes, and makes it easy to bake a variety of cookies in one session.

It’s an especially practical approach for family baking, lunches, and situations where everyone prefers something a little different.

Ingredients for the Basic Cookie Dough

Start by mixing one large batch of plain cookie dough. This basic dough is designed to be divided into portions, with different flavors added at the end. The ingredient list below makes a generous batch that can be turned into multiple cookie varieties.

How to Make One Dough Cookie Recipes

Step 1: Mix the Basic Cookie Dough

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.

Add the white sugar and brown sugar, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Add the eggs and vanilla, then continue beating until fully combined.

Beat the basic cookie dough for 3 to 5 minutes total, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.

At this point, the basic cookie dough is finished and ready to be divided and flavored.

Step 3: Divide the Dough and Add Cookie Mix-Ins

Divide the finished cookie dough into several portions, depending on how many flavors you want to make. You can eyeball the portions or use a kitchen scale if you prefer them even.

Place each portion of dough in a separate bowl and add your chosen mix-ins. Stir gently until the add-ins are evenly distributed.

This is where the recipe becomes flexible. You can make classic flavors like chocolate chip or raisin cookies, or try fun combinations using whatever mix-ins you have on hand.

Once the dough is divided and flavored, all the cookie variations are baked the same way unless noted.

Cookie Mix-In Ideas to Try

This basic cookie dough works with a wide variety of mix-ins. You can keep things classic or mix and match based on what your family enjoys.

Some easy mix-in ideas include chocolate chips, peanut butter, coconut, pecans, peanuts, oatmeal, cranberries, almonds, Skor bits, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, pretzel bits, Rice Krispies, cornflakes, and other family favorites. Gather what you have into a 1 cup measure.

Some easy mix-in ideas include chocolate chips, peanut butter, coconut, pecans, peanuts, oatmeal, cranberries, almonds, Skor bits, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, pretzel bits, Rice Krispies, cornflakes, and other family favorites. Gather what you have into a 1 cup measure.

Try combinations like chocolate chips with pretzels and Skor pieces, peanut butter with coconut and peanuts, chocolate chips with raisins and nuts, or caramel chips with crushed pretzels. You can mix and match based on what you have on hand.

Directions for Caramel Pretzel Cookie Variation

Whatever variety you choose, the steps are exactly the same. For this blog post, I made the caramel pretzel variation.

Take 1/4 of the basic cookie dough and add 1/2 cup caramel chips and 1/2 cup crushed pretzels. Mix well to incorporate.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake Cookies

Scoop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Push the center with a fork.

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Bake for about 7–10 minutes at 350°F.

Final Thoughts

The varieties are endless, and this recipe is meant to be flexible. It was especially helpful back when I needed to bake for a crowd or put together school lunches on a budget. One big batch of dough and a few simple add-ins made it easy to create something everyone liked.

For this tray, I made four variations: caramel pretzel cookies, chocolate chip raisin and walnut cookies, peanut butter coconut cookies, and peanut butter coconut cookies with whole peanuts. Mixing and matching flavors from one dough makes baking feel easier and a little more fun.a

If you like having flexible recipes on hand, be sure to save this one. Pin this one dough cookie recipe so it’s easy to find when you want to bake a mix of cookies for lunches, holidays, or a busy week.

Other Cookie Recipes to Try

Want to make a no bake cookie, or a smaller cookie recipe. Here are some other old favorite cookie recipes I highly recommend.