Basic biscuit dough

Basic biscuit dough

This simple recipe for cookie dough can be adapted to suit your tastes- experiment with different shapes and flavours

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes about 30 cookies

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 5 mins

Cook time

Cook 15 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Method

  1. Mix 250g softened butter and 140g caster sugar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, then add 1 egg yolk and 2 tsp vanilla extract and briefly beat to combine. Sift over 300g plain flour and stir until the mixture is well combined - you might need to get your hands in at the end to give everything a really good mix and press the dough together.
Try

Little lemony fingers

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Make the Basic biscuit dough, adding zest 2 lemons to the sugar and butter mixture. After chilling, roll out the dough to a rough rectangle, then use a pizza cutter or knife to divide the dough into long strips, about 10 x 2cm. Bake as above. For the icing, mix 140g sifted icing sugar with 4-5 tbsp lemon juice and the zest 1 lemon. When biscuits are cool, half dip them into the icing, then dry on a rack.

Triple chocolate treats - American-style biscuits

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Make a batch of Basic biscuit dough, substituting 50g cocoa powder for 50g plain flour. Add 85g white chocolate chunks and 85g milk chocolate chunks, then mix well. Scoop the mixture into 12 large balls onto a non-stick baking sheet. Space well apart, as they will spread. Flatten slightly, bake for 12-15 mins, then transfer the soft, warm cookies to a cooling rack to firm up.

Crushed almond rounds

Prepare the Basic biscuit dough, substituting 2 tsp almond extract for the vanilla. Shape the dough into a large oval log, about 8-10cm in diameter, then roll in 100g finely chopped whole blanched almonds, pressing the nuts onto all sides. Carefully wrap in cling film, then chill or freeze. To cook, heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then slice off 1cm thick ovals with a sharp knife. Bake on a non-stick baking tray for 12 mins until pale gold, then transfer to a cooling rack to firm up.

Per serving

118 kcalories, protein 1.0g, carbohydrate 13.0g, fat 7.0 g, saturated fat 4.0g, fibre 0.0g, sugar 5.0g, salt 0.13 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, March 2007.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 101-120

  • Binder photo Paola

    29 November 2011

    Paola rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo coolkid

    22 December 2011

    coolkid commented on this recipe

    What tempritcher do you cook these in at?

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  • Binder photo AuntieSanski

    24 December 2011

    AuntieSanski commented on this recipe

    I tried this out just today; I made the dough and added cinnamon with a tiny bit of nutmeg. They turned out perfect! Will be lovely after I add some icing and decorate them. I'm having a hard time keeping my mum from eating them all because I'm trying to save them for Christmas tomorrow. Absolutey delicious!

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  • Binder photo AuntieSanski

    24 December 2011

    AuntieSanski rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo PaSco71

    03 January 2012

    PaSco71 commented on this recipe

    Questions... How long do the cookies last in a jar? 30 is a lot for 2 people but don't want wastage/greediness!

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  • Binder photo Chezzabelle

    18 January 2012

    Chezzabelle rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Fantastic recipe, and so easy to make! I made the plain vanilla dough, and sandwiched two biscuits together with some water icing and strawberry jam - they went down an absolute treat with everyone, with many begging me for the recipe! Highly recommended!

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  • Binder photo Alanna

    28 January 2012

    Alanna rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo MrsLyn

    31 January 2012

    MrsLyn rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    absolutely delicious, the possibilities with these biscuits are endless

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  • Binder photo Evabels

    07 February 2012

    Evabels rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Great easy recipe that's quick and perfect for making with a toddler. Very tasty too.

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  • Binder photo ceastwood

    15 February 2012

    ceastwood rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    excellent basic recipe

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  • Binder photo Sinead

    28 March 2012

    Sinead commented on this recipe

    Just made the plain biscuits. Used 200g butter and gluten free flour. They are so good!! Can't stop eating them!

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  • Binder photo Abbie

    31 March 2012

    Abbie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made plain ones but added 75g of chocolate chips and reduced the flour by 50g they were so delicious however i thought i would be able to make shaped with he biscuit dough but couldn't but it didn't matter i am 15 and found the recipe easy

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  • Binder photo alicemei

    06 April 2012

    alicemei rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This recipe is fab!! I used the basic version but made linzer biscuits but with lemon curd inside! AMAZING! Everyone loved them!!!

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  • Binder photo SoniaOlejarz

    06 May 2012

    SoniaOlejarz rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    I did the lemon finger recipe and added an extra 50g of flour, 40g of dessicated coconut and 50g of candied mixed peel. I called them my Hawaiian Biscuits! They went down a storm. The only reason the recipe wasn't a 5* was due to the extra flour a had to add, the mixture was to wet to roll. 100% making these again.

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  • Binder photo NatashaLou90

    15 May 2012

    NatashaLou90 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Great recipe! I made the chocolate biscuits and added chopped Galaxy chocolate and mini marshmellows.

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  • Binder photo rachaelw

    16 June 2012

    rachaelw rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Very easy to make and great how many adaptations there are - I started off simple but am hoping to make those triple chocolate treats! :D

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  • Binder photo mrsrsmith

    06 July 2012

    mrsrsmith commented on this recipe

    Is it me or is part of the recipe missing? I can only see one step, nothing about chilling or cooking the biscuits!

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  • Binder photo Royston

    10 July 2012

    Royston rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Lovely simple recipe Royston

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  • Binder photo JJ07957

    15 July 2012

    JJ07957 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    30 is not enough!! :D my kids love these biccy's, i have 5 so i have to double up on the ingredients lol, great with a brew too :) and so easy to make x

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  • Binder photo atlaswoods18

    30 July 2012

    atlaswoods18 commented on this recipe

    Perfect simple recipe, and goes a long way.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes about 30 cookies

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 5 mins

Cook time

Cook 15 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 250g butter , softened
  • 140g caster sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 300g plain flour
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Per serving

118 kcalories, protein 1.0g, carbohydrate 13.0g, fat 7.0 g, saturated fat 4.0g, fibre 0.0g, sugar 5.0g, salt 0.13 g

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