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Can you add nuts to premade cookie dough?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can add nuts to premade cookie dough, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The additional ingredients may throw off the balance of flavors and textures, so you’ll want to add them judiciously. Chopped nuts can usually be mixed right into the dough, while larger pieces or whole nuts are better pressed into the tops of cookies before baking. Adjust baking times as needed for any added chunky mix-ins.

Exploring the Possibilities of Customizing Premade Cookie Dough

Premade cookie dough provides a convenient shortcut for whipping up fresh, homemade cookies. The dough comes already perfectly mixed, formed, and ready to scoop and bake. While premade dough saves time and effort compared to starting completely from scratch, some bakers may find the cookie selection limited or crave a more customized treat. This leads to the question – can you personalize premade cookie dough by adding your own ingredients, such as nuts?

The answer is generally yes. Most standard premade cookie doughs, whether refrigerated tube-style or shelf-stable pucks, provide a solid chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter, or oatmeal base suitable for mixing in a variety of added ingredients. The dough base functions as both a binder and a backdrop of flavor. Contrasting textures and tastes layered on top can enhance the cookie experience. Nuts offer both – crunchy contrast to the soft dough and rich, toasted flavor. Chopped, slivered, or whole nuts can serve as excellent mix-ins for custom premade cookie recipes.

However, some key tips will ensure your enriched cookies turn out looking and tasting great.

Picking the Right Nuts

Nuts come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and flavors.

Some top options for adding to cookies include:

  • Finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds – integrate seamlessly into dough
  • Pecan or walnut halves or large pieces – best lightly pressed into dough tops before baking
  • Crushed peanuts or bake chopped peanuts – ideal for heightening peanut butter or chocolate flavors
  • Nut pieces or chips – add texture and flavor accents

Aim for nuts with bolder flavors and more visual appeal for maximizing the impact. Size and shape also matter. Finely chopped or ground nuts seamlessly incorporate into the dough itself, while larger pieces or whole nuts make more of a statement layered and lightly pressed into the tops of scooped dough. Slivered almonds, pecan halves, walnut pieces, and whole peanuts all provide nice visual contrast and flavor pop when applied to the exteriors of cookies.

How Much to Add

When enriching premade dough, restraint is important for maintaining balance. The pre-mixed dough already contains a calibrated amount of flour, leavener, eggs, sugar, salt, fat, and flavors. Throwing the ratios off too much can lead to issues with texture or taste.

As a general guideline, stick to adding nuts in a quantity about equal to 10-20% of the volume of dough itself. For a standard 18 ounce roll of refrigerated cookie dough, that means limiting nuts to around 1/4 to 1/2 cup maximum. Overloading the dough with too many additions can lead to it becoming too dry, stiff, or dense once baked.

Accounting for Bake Time

One important factor to consider when adding chunky ingredients like nuts to premade cookie dough is extending baking time. The nuts introduce more density that usually requires a minute or two longer in the oven to fully set and cook through.

Be prepared to let cookies containing nuts, chocolate chunks, oats, dried fruit, coconut, or other mix-ins bake 1-3 minutes beyond the suggested time on the dough package. Keep a close eye near the end to prevent burning. Cookies containing larger nut pieces pressed into the tops may also benefit from flipping midway through baking to evenly brown both sides.

Step-By-Step Guide to Adding Nuts to Premade Cookie Dough

Integrating nuts into premade cookie dough is easy to do in just a few simple steps:

Prep the Nuts

You can use raw or toasted nuts. For more flavor, try toasting nuts first. Simply spread nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely before chopping if needed.

Soften the Dough

For easier mixing, let refrigerated premade cookie dough sit at room temperature to soften slightly, about 20-30 minutes.

Mix In Add-Ins

Chopped nuts can be stirred directly into the dough. Use a spoon or spatula to gently fold them in until evenly distributed.

Shape Cookies

Scoop dough into rounded balls and place onto a prepared baking sheet. Lightly press any larger nut pieces, like pecan halves, into the tops of the dough balls.

Adjust Baking Time

Bake at the suggested temperature, adding 1-3 extra minutes to account for any mix-ins.

Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy your fresh, nut-enhanced cookies!

Favorite Cookie Dough Flavors to Pair with Nuts

While nuts taste great in just about any cookie recipe, some dough flavors benefit more from nutty mix-ins than others.

Chocolate Chip

The sweet, salty, chocolaty base of chocolate chip cookie dough gets boosted with the addition of walnuts or pecans.

Peanut Butter

Chopped peanuts blend right into peanut butter cookie dough seamlessly. Peanut lovers will approve.

Sugar Cookie

A classic base for highlighting mix-ins. Chopped almonds or pistachios add visual interest and flavor.

Oatmeal Raisin

For cookies that already contain oats and raisins, complement with walnuts or pecans for more crunch.

White Chocolate Macadamia

A match made in cookie heaven. No need to add extra nuts, just enjoy as is.

Snickerdoodle

Toasted pecans lend delicious contrast to the sweet cinnamon dough.

Cookie Dough Flavor Recommended Nut Add-Ins
Chocolate Chip Walnuts, Pecans
Peanut Butter Peanuts
Sugar Cookie Almonds, Pistachios
Oatmeal Raisin Walnuts, Pecans
White Chocolate Macadamia Macadamia Nuts
Snickerdoodle Pecans

Tips for Storing Nut-Enhanced Cookie Dough

Once you’ve mixed in your add-ins, you’ll want to store the enriched dough properly to retain freshness. Here are some storage tips:

  • Keep refrigerated dough well-wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
  • Cookies made from shelf-stable dough can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature.
  • Cookies with nuts tend to maintain peak flavor for 5-7 days.
  • For longer storage of decorated dough, freeze nut-topped dough balls on a baking sheet then transfer to an airtight container.
  • Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge before baking.

Get Creative with Nutty Premade Cookie Dough

While following package directions for premade dough delivers reliable results, part of the fun is customizing cookies to your preferences. Adding nuts provides an easy way to inject extra flavor, texture, and nutrition into premade dough. Experiment with toasted and raw options, nut pieces, and creative combinations in your favorite cookie flavors. Just be sure to use a delicate touch and allow for extra baking time as needed. Soon you’ll have a go-to cookie recipe boosted with your trademark nutty crunch.