Basic cookie dough

I've been using this basic cookie dough since my children were little. The variations are endless. You can shape them, roll them or plop them on a cookie sheet by the tablespoon. Add spices, nuts or chocolate chips.

I usually divide the dough into quarters and make a different kind of cookie with each quarter. They make perfect gifts for teacher or hostess.

Note: There are two ways to measure flour. The most common way is to scoop it from the canister or bag with a dry measure and then level it off. The second way is to fill the dry measure with a spoon - this method is taught in cooking schools and used in most magazines and books. It will give you slightly less flour. This recipe uses the first method.