When the summer sun is at its peak and you crave something sweet and cold, nothing quite hits the spot like a generous scoop of ice cream. But there's a way to elevate this delightful experience even further: homemade cookie dough mix-ins. Imagine the creamy, smooth texture of your favorite ice cream paired with chewy, rich chunks of cookie dough. It's a classic combination that promises indulgence in every spoonful. In this post, we'll dive into the 5 best cookie dough recipes perfect for creating your ice cream bliss.
1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Starting with the timeless favorite, here’s how you can make classic chocolate chip cookie dough to blend into your ice cream:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda (optional for flavor)
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Instructions:
- Heat-treat the flour by baking it at 350°F for 5 minutes to kill bacteria.
- Combine the softened butter, sugars, and vanilla extract in a bowl, mixing until smooth.
- Add the heat-treated flour, baking soda, salt, and milk, blending until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Form small chunks or balls and freeze for 30 minutes before mixing into ice cream.
🔔 Note: Heat treating the flour is essential to ensure safety when consuming raw dough.
2. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
For those who adore the sweet-salty flavor profile, peanut butter cookie dough offers an irresistible crunch:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1⁄2 cup peanut butter
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Instructions:
- Heat-treat the flour to ensure it’s safe for raw consumption.
- Mix butter, peanut butter, sugars, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Combine the treated flour, salt, and milk, mixing until well blended.
- Chill the dough to firm it up, then shape into small pieces for ice cream.
3. Red Velvet Cookie Dough
Red velvet, with its rich cocoa flavor and vibrant color, is an aesthetic and tasteful addition to ice cream:
- Ingredients:
- 1 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons red food coloring
- Instructions:
- Heat-treat the flour and cocoa powder.
- Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Add milk, red food coloring, then the flour mixture, blending until smooth.
- Chill to set, then roll into small pieces or use a cookie scoop.
🎨 Note: The red food coloring can stain, so use caution when handling.
4. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough
For a chewier texture and a nostalgic twist:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 cup raisins
- Instructions:
- Heat-treat flour and oats to ensure safety.
- Mix butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Incorporate the treated flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and raisins.
- Chill the dough, then form into small pieces.
🍪 Note: This dough includes an egg, so make sure you freeze the dough before adding to ice cream for safety.
5. Brown Butter & Pecan Cookie Dough
Elevate your ice cream with a sophisticated, nutty dough:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
- 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- Instructions:
- Brown the butter, then cool slightly.
- Heat-treat the flour.
- Combine the browned butter, sugars, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Add the treated flour, salt, milk, and chopped pecans, mixing until just combined.
- Chill, then roll into small balls or chunks.
In wrapping up our journey through these delightful cookie dough recipes, the promise of ice cream bliss is tantalizingly close. Each recipe offers a unique twist on the classic cookie dough mix-in, bringing a different dimension of flavor and texture to your homemade ice cream experience. From the timeless chocolate chip to the rich brown butter and pecan, you now have a variety of options to suit any mood or gathering. Remember to enjoy the process, whether it’s mixing the dough, customizing your ice cream flavors, or simply savoring the results. These cookie doughs not only enhance the taste of your ice cream but also offer a moment of indulgence that connects us to fond memories of childhood. So grab your spoon, get your churn ready, and immerse yourself in the world of cookie dough ice cream creations.
Why heat-treat flour before using it in cookie dough?
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Heat-treating flour kills any potential bacteria that might be present, making the dough safe to consume raw.
Can these recipes be used for cookie baking as well?
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Yes, with slight modifications like adding an egg to the dough and adjusting sugar and fat content, these recipes can be baked into cookies.
How long does cookie dough last in the freezer?
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Frozen cookie dough will last for several months if stored in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Are there any egg-free cookie dough options?
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Yes, the first three recipes listed above are egg-free, ensuring they are safe to eat without the risk of raw egg consumption.
