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This basic cookie dough mix is the starting point for so many delicious cookie recipes. It is so easy to make and you probably have everything you need in your pantry right now!

Featured with this recipe
I got this cookie mix recipe from a cookbook that belonged to my grandma called “Make-A-Mix Cookery”. It has a recipe for pretty much any dry mix you can think of – cakes, cookies, breads, sauces, you name it! We’ve recently tried a few of them, and we couldn’t wait to share them. Making your own cookie mix is so convenient and it saves you money. I love having this mix in my pantry. You can tailor it to almost any cookie recipe – snickerdoodle dough, sugar cookie dough, chocolate cookie dough, etc. – and use whatever mix-ins and flavors you have on hand.
Ingredients in this Basic Cookie Dough Mix
Once you have the basic cookie dough mix made, you can add all sorts of ingredients to make your favorite treats!
- Flour – measure and sift eight cups of all purpose flour.
- Sugar – two and a half cups regular, white sugar
- Brown sugar – two cups, firmly packed
- Salt – add four teaspoons salt to the mixture.
- Baking soda – one and a half teaspoons
- Vegetable shortening – three cups, crumbled into the flour mixture.

I Made the Mix…Now What?
Once you’ve made the mix and you’re ready to make a batch of cookies, here is the basic recipe:
- 3 cups Basic Cookie Dough Mix
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups of any mix-in (If you are doing multiple mix-ins, the total should add up to 1 ½ cups. For example, ½ cup nuts, 1 cup chocolate chips)
Combine Basic Cookie Dough Mix, milk, vanilla, and egg in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, cream ingredients together, then stir in your mix-in. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, then bake in the oven at 375 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Mix-In Ideas
- Chocolate Chips
- Butterscotch Chips
- Pecans
- M&Ms
- White Chocolate Chips
- Craisins
- Coconut Flakes
- Freeze Dried Raspberries
- Cadbury Mini Eggs
- Macadamia Nuts
- Mini M&Ms
- Reese’s Pieces
- Dried Cherries
- Raisins
- Oatmeal
- Cinnamon sugar
- Sprinkles
- Chopped peanuts
Have more mix-in ideas for this Basic Cookie Mix? Let us know in the comments below!
Our Favorite Basic Cookie Dough Mix Recipe
Of course I love a classic chocolate chip cookie, but we decided to try a new recipe from the Make-A-Mix cookbook. We used the basic mix to make Banana Coconut Delights. They were AMAZING! Essentially, they are banana bread as a cookie. Not going to lie, we are probably going to be eating these for breakfast for the next few days. We will include this recipe below. I hope you try them!

Frequently Asked Questions about Basic Cookie Dough Mix
This Basic Cookie Dough Mix will last in your pantry for 10-12 weeks. Make sure to store it in an air-tight container and in a cool, dry place.
No need to refrigerate! However, if you make up the cookie dough, you can freeze the dough for up to three months. Basically, you can be minutes away from cookies at all times – isn’t that the goal??
A stand mixer or electric mixer allows you to have more speed and power which you often need for big batches of dough. Plus a stand mixer also has many attachments like a paddle for creaming and a whisk for whipping egg whites.
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How to Make a Basic Cookie Dough Mix

Basic Cookie Dough Mix
Ingredients
For Basic Cookie Dough Mix
- 8 cups flour
- 2 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 cups brown sugar firmly packed
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 3 cups vegetable shortening
For Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 3 cups Basic Cookie Mix
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
For Peanut Butter Cookies
- 3 cups Basic Cookie Mix
- 1/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
For Banana Coconut Delights
- 2 cups Basic Cookie Mix
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 medium banana mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
Instructions
Basic Cookie Mix
- Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Stir until well-mixed.
- Using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands, add in shortening until well-combined and crumbly.
For Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Combine Basic Cookie Mix, milk, vanilla, and egg. Stir until well-combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake on a greased baking sheet at 375 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
For Peanut Butter Cookies
- Combine Basic Cookie Mix, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter. Stir until well-combined.
- Bake on a greased baking sheet at 375 for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
For Banana Coconut Delights
- Combine Basic Cookie Mix, coconut, banana, vanilla, and egg. Stir until well-combined. Fold in pecans and oats.
- Bake on a greased baking sheet at 375 for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
-
- Chocolate Chips
-
- Butterscotch Chips
-
- Pecans
-
- M&Ms
-
- White Chocolate Chips
-
- Craisins
-
- Coconut Flakes
-
- Freeze Dried Raspberries
-
- Cadbury Mini Eggs
-
- Macadamia Nuts
-
- Mini M&Ms
-
- Reese’s Pieces
-
- Dried Cherries
-
- Raisins
-
- Oatmeal
-
- Cinnamon sugar
-
- Sprinkles
-
- Chopped peanuts
Do you refrigerate the cookie dough mix ? or Can it just sit in the pantry ? and for how long ?
Well this is handy to have in my pantry. I’ve been looking for a basic cookie mix. My son bought some mixes at the dollar store with his buddies (eye roll…) and I said to him…”WE can do better than that!” So glad to have found this recipe. He has baked two batches of chocolate chip cookies with EASE. Love anything that gets a teen to cook and bake!! Thanks for this easy and great recipe.
This cookie mix is so great to keep on hand! Perfect for when we need a quick dessert.
Cranberries & choc chips or cranberries & coconut are awesome together.
1/ Wouldn’t the mix keep longer without the oil?
2/ Why the extra brown sugar? Making candy?
3/ I would leave out the oil & use that amount of soft peanut butter instead.
Vicky
#1- you don’t use oil.
I LOVE the make a mix book. Mine is so old it’s falling apart!
This cookie dough mix is so handy to have on hand! I put a little care package together with a couple of different add-in options (chocolate chips in some, coconut and macadamia nuts in another) for my neighbors adding your instructions. They love it!