10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (2024)

Home Bread and Baked Goods

3.83

/5

17 minutes mins

5 Comments

Jump to RecipePrint

By: Lalaine ManaloPosted: 12/29/2022Updated: 12/30/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough!Turn refrigerated sugar cookie dough into gourmet cookie flavors by adding simple ingredients!

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (1)

Table of Contents hide

  • 1 Quick tip
  • 2 Delicious Ways to Fancy Up Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
  • 3 Storage instructions
  • 4 10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough

I love making edible gifts, but with how hectic the season gets, sometimes, I don’t have the energy to bake from scratch. My ultimate baking essential? Refrigerated sugar cookie dough!

Sugar cookies are not only perfect for decorating but are also a great canvas for various flavor combinations. Whether using your favorite recipe or pre-made, you can easily spruce up your sugar cookie dough into gourmet treats by adding nuts, chocolate chips, citrus zest, toffee bits, extracts, or spices.

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (2)

I came up with four delicious cookie varieties by simply tossing a handful of simple ingredients into the cookie dough. Along with the toffee espresso, savory rosemary and parmesan, ginger doodles, and cranberry orange on the recipe card, check other delicious ideas below on how to level up your next batch of cookies.

Quick tip

If the dough feels too soft from the add-ins, chill for a few minutes to keep from spreading too much when baked.

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (3)

Delicious Ways to Fancy Up Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough

  1. Add lemon zest and dried blueberries to the sugar cookie dough for a refreshing lemony treat.
  2. To make salted caramel thumbprints, roll the sugar cookie dough into balls, press down in the center to make an indentation, fill the center with caramel and sprinkle the dough with sea salt before baking.
  3. Dip one end of baked and cooled sugar cookies in melted white chocolate, then roll in crushed peppermint candies for the perfect Christmas hostess gift!
  4. Toss shredded coconut, dried pineapples, and macadamia nuts into the sugar cookie dough for a tropical twist.
  5. Add quick oats, raisins, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon to the dough for quick oatmeal cookies.
  6. Spread hazelnut chocolate between two baked and cooled sugar cookies, and then sprinkle tops with powdered sugar. Kids can’t get enough of these chocolatey snacks!
  7. With a rolling pin, flatten cookie dough into a rectangular shape, sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar, and then roll it into a log. Refrigerate the cookie log until firm, slice 1/4-inch thick, and bake into addicting cinnamon pinwheels.
10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (4)

Storage instructions

Cool the cookies completely and transfer them to an airtight container. If frosted, place parchment between rows of cookies to keep them from sticking together.

  • Room temperature– recommended; store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week.
  • Refrigerator– cookies might dry out; refrigerate for up to 2 weeks
  • Freezer– for longer storage and maximum freshness; freeze for up to 3 months.

These gourmet cookies make great holiday gifts. Download my Christmas printables and pack these delicious treats in style. Enjoy!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (5)

3.83 from 35 votes

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough

Turn refrigerated sugar cookie dough into many different gourmet flavors by adding simple ingredients! Check out 10 easy and delicious ideas!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

Total Time: 17 minutes mins

Author: Lalaine Manalo

Course: Baked Goods

Print Pin It

24 Servings

Ingredients

For the Ginger Doodles

  • 1 package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Toffee Espresso Cookies

  • 1 package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1/4 cup toffee bits
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

For the Cranberry Orange Cookies

  • 1 package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • zest of 1 large orange
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract

For the Savory Rosemary and Parmesan Cookies

  • 1 package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Instructions

For the Ginger Doodles

  • In a bowl, combine cookie dough, ground ginger, and ground cloves.

  • In a small bowl, combine sugar and ground cinnamon.

  • Roll about 1 tablespoonful of dough into balls and then roll in cinnamon sugar until coated.

  • Arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at about 2-inches apart and bake in a 350 F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to completely cool.

For the Toffee Espresso Cookies

  • In a bowl, combine cookie dough, toffee bits, and instant coffee granules.

  • Roll about 1 tablespoonful of dough into balls and arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at about 2-inches apart.

  • Bake in a 350 F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to completely cool.

For the Cranberry Orange Cookies

  • In a bowl, combine cookie dough, dried cranberries, orange zest, flour, and orange extract.

  • Roll about 1 tablespoonful of dough into balls and arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at about 2-inches apart.

  • Bake in a 350 F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to completely cool.

For the Savory Rosemary and Parmesan Cookies

  • In a bowl, combine cookie dough, Parmesan cheese and chopped rosemary.

  • Roll about 1 tablespoonful of dough into balls and arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at about 2-inches apart.

  • Bake in a 350 F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to completely cool.

Notes

If the dough feels too soft from the add-ins, chill for a few minutes to keep from spreading too much when baked.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 89kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 56mg, Potassium: 28mg, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 5IU, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.4mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”

About Lalaine Manalo

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More

Previous PostBacon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Next Post Avocado Fries

Reader Interactions

3.83 from 35 votes (34 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

  1. Freya says

    10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (8)
    10 ways, but only shows 4.

    Reply

    • Lalaine says

      Please read the whole post.

      Reply

  2. Lisa says

    I only made one, toffee espresso. I used milk chocolate toffee bits. Excellent cookie. The coffee flavor is not over powering, just enough!

    Reply

  3. Rachael Kinsley says

    You saved Christmas!

    So easy to make so many cookies for friends with these recipes. Varied and tastes amazing. Orange cranberry was my favorite.

    Reply

  4. Dii says

    Can these be rolled out into shapes or do they spread to much?

    Reply

10 Ways to Fancy Up Sugar Cookie Dough (2024)

FAQs

How do you upgrade sugar cookie dough? ›

Add extracts

A teaspoon or two of extracts will noticeably boost flavor when blended into your sugar cookie mix. Vanilla is the obvious choice. For a more intriguing flavor, add both vanilla and almond extracts. Rum, maple and anise are other delicious varieties to consider.

What can I add to sugar cookies to make them better? ›

There are a few things you can add to your ready - to - bake sugar cookies to give them more flavor . One option is to mix in some vanilla extract or almond extract to enhance the overall taste . You can also add in some cinnamon , nutmeg , or other spices to give the cookies a warm and cozy flavor .

What can I add to cookie dough to make it better? ›

You can upgrade your cookie dough by adding spices to it, said Tracy Wilk, lead chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. This can lead to a warm, spicy cookie. To do so, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, and sugar, and then roll your balls of cookie dough in the mix before baking.

How do you spruce up boxed sugar cookies? ›

Add different flavors.

You could use peppermint, lemon, or almond extract instead of vanilla, dump in plenty of rainbow sprinkles, or even mix in chopped nuts or dried fruit! Let your kids be involved in the planning and let them experiment with different ingredients.

How do you salvage cookie dough? ›

First, try adding more liquid to the dough. This can be milk, water, or even just a little bit of extra oil. If that doesn't work, you can try kneading the dough for a few minutes to help it come together. Lastly, if all else fails, you can always add in a few tablespoons of flour to help bind the dough together.

How do you elevate Betty Crocker sugar cookies? ›

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

How to fix bland cookie dough? ›

Add more sugar or sweetener: If your cookies are too bland, adding more sugar or a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup can help.

What is the best thing to upgrade with sugar lumps in cookie clicker? ›

So you want to spend your sugar lumps on reaching each level of office, by upgrading your cursors. This option is more efficient for pure cookie count (assuming your cookies come from click combos) but is slower in getting all the achievements. Picking this first will get you all the achievements faster than Option B.

Can you add flavoring to sugar cookie dough? ›

Flavors: I love flavoring this cookie dough with 1/2 teaspoon almond extract as listed in the ingredients above. For lighter flavor, use 1/4 teaspoon. Instead of the almond extract, try using 1 teaspoon of maple extract, coconut extract, lemon extract, or peppermint extract.

Can I add more sugar to my cookie dough? ›

What happens if you increase the amount of sugar called for in cookies? Conversely, when you increase the sugar in cookies, you'll get cookies that spread more and have an ultra moist and chewy texture in addition to a sweeter flavor.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 5442

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.