Consider these simple tips for making homemade cookies you'll be proud to share. 1. Get organized. "Before anything else, read the recipe thoroughly so there are no unpleasant surprises when baking," says Ginny Bean, publisher of Ginny's catalog. 2. Keep it simple. Bean recommends starting with this good, basic dough recipe and adding different ingredients to customize the taste and texture to personal preferences:
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions: Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well mixed. In separate bowl, whisk flour and baking soda together, then add slowly to creamed mixture, beating until combined.

"There's almost no end to what you can do to this dough," says Bean. "Get creative and experiment with different mix-ins like lemon peel, pumpkin pie spice, even instant coffee, or substitute toffee or peppermint chips for traditional chocolate and butterscotch."