Copycat Trader Joe’s Cookie Dough Recipe

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If you’ve ever strolled through the aisles of Trader Joe’s, you’ve likely discovered the Trader Joe’s Cookie Doughs—compact, pre-portioned treasures ready to transform into bites of bliss.

How to make Trader Joe’s Cookie Dough

Trader Joe’s Cookie Dough is a ready-to-bake refrigerated product that lets you make fresh cookies at home without mixing ingredients from scratch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks

Instructions

Preparation Steps:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can lead to tough cookies.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chunks: With a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chunks until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Shaping and Storing:

1. Shape the Dough: If you want classic cookie dough pucks similar to Trader Joe’s, scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. Slightly flatten these balls with your hand to form puck shapes.
2. Chill the Dough: Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Tips for Perfect Cookie Dough

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature, as this helps create a smooth, well-incorporated dough.
• Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step. It helps prevent cookies from spreading too much and results in a better texture.
• Use Quality Vanilla: High-quality vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the flavor of your cookie dough.
• Measure Accurately: Precision is key in baking. Use a kitchen scale for measuring your flour to avoid adding too much or too little.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can turn tender cookies into dense ones.

Ingredients Substitutes

Baking is flexible, and there are plenty of ingredient substitutions you can play with to create the perfect dough while staying true to the rich, chewy, and flavorful cookies Trader Joe’s is known for.

1. Butter Substitutes

Butter is the heart of a good cookie—it lends flavor and makes cookies soft and chewy by trapping air in the dough. If you don’t have butter or need an alternative, here are some swaps:

Substitutes for Butter:

• Margarine (1:1 substitution): Use the same amount of margarine as you would butter. Stick margarine works best here (avoid tub varieties, as they have more water content).
• Coconut Oil (1:1 substitution): Use solid coconut oil for soft and chewy cookies; it adds a subtle coconut flavor that complements chocolate well.
• Vegetable Shortening (1:1 substitution): Shortening creates ultra-soft cookies but lacks the rich flavor butter provides. Add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla or butter-flavored extract to compensate for the missing butter flavor.
• Applesauce (1:1, for a low-fat choice): For a healthier twist, replace half or all the butter with unsweetened applesauce. Expect softer, more cakelike cookies.

2. Sugar Substitutes

Trader Joe’s cookie dough stands out due to its perfect balance between sweetness and texture, achieved through a combination of brown sugar (for chewiness) and granulated sugar (for a spread and crisp edges). Here’s what to use if you’re missing either:

Brown Sugar Replacements:

• Granulated Sugar + Molasses (DIY Brown Sugar): Replace 1 cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of white sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of molasses.
• Coconut Sugar (1:1 substitution): Adds a slightly caramelized taste, similar to brown sugar, with a lower glycemic index.
• Honey or Maple Syrup (3/4 cup for 1 cup brown sugar): Adds a deep flavor but makes the batter wetter. Reduce liquids slightly to balance.

Granulated Sugar Replacements:

• Powdered Sugar (1 3/4 cups for 1 cup granulated sugar): Creates slightly softer cookies but works in a pinch.
• Cane Sugar (1:1 substitution): Has a similar sweetness but might not dissolve as thoroughly.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener or Stevia (as per packaging instructions): For a sugar-free version, follow the recommended ratio for the sweetener.

3. Flour Substitutes

All-purpose flour gives cookies their structure, but there are many ways to tweak or replace it depending on your needs.

Substitutes for All-Purpose Flour:

• Whole Wheat Flour (1:1 substitution): Results in nuttier, denser cookies. For a lighter texture, use 50% whole wheat and 50% all-purpose flour.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend (1:1 substitution): Perfect for gluten-free baking. Use a blend designed to replace wheat flour (e.g., Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur’s).
• Almond Flour (2 cups almond flour for 1 cup all-purpose flour): Creates soft, chewy gluten-free cookies. Since almond flour is heavier, expect a denser dough.
• Oat Flour (1 cup oat flour + 1 tablespoon cornstarch for 1 cup all-purpose flour): Another gluten-free option that gives cookies a mild, nutty flavor.

4. Egg Substitutes

Eggs add moisture and act as a binding agent in cookie dough. If you’re out of eggs or need a vegan option, try these replacements:

Egg Replacements:

• Flax Egg (1 egg = 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water): Mix and let sit for 5 minutes until it thickens. Great for binding the Trader Joe’s Cookie Dough.
• Chia Seed Egg (1 egg = 1 tablespoon chia seeds + 3 tablespoons water): Similar to a flax egg, this is perfect for adding moisture.
• Mashed Banana (1/4 cup for 1 egg): Adds natural sweetness and moisture but may slightly alter the flavor.
• Unsweetened Applesauce (1/4 cup for 1 egg): Works well in softer cookie recipes.
• Aquafaba (3 tablespoons for 1 egg): The liquid from canned chickpeas acts as an excellent egg replacer, especially for vegan recipes.

5. Chocolate Chunk Swaps

Trader Joe’s cookie dough shines because of its massive chocolate chunks. If you don’t have chocolate chunks on hand, here are creative substitutes:

Chocolate Alternatives:

• Chocolate Chips (1:1 substitution): The easiest alternative, but they’ll melt smaller than chunks.
• Chopped Baking Chocolate (1:1 substitution): Chop a bar of semisweet or dark baking chocolate into large chunks for the same rustic chocolate pieces that Trader Joe’s cookies are known for.
• Carob Chips (1:1 substitution): A good caffeine-free, slightly-earthy substitute.
• White Chocolate, Butterscotch Chips, or Peanut Butter Chips (1:1 substitution): Fun for flavor variations.
• Dried Fruit or Nuts (1 cup for every 2 cups of chocolate chunks): For a healthier or textured alternative.

6. Vanilla Extract Replacements

Vanilla adds a warm depth of flavor to cookie dough. If you’re out of it, try these options:

• Maple Syrup (1:1 substitution): Mimics vanilla’s sweetness and blends beautifully with cookie dough.
• Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon for 1 teaspoon vanilla): Provides a nuttier flavor—be cautious, as it’s more concentrated.
• Vanilla Bean Paste (1:1 substitution): A premium substitute for a deeper vanilla flavor and flecks of vanilla bean.
• Honey (1:1 substitution): Adds a hint of floral sweetness.

Final Thoughts

By making Trader Joe’s cookie dough at home, you can enjoy the same delightful cookies anytime, tweak the recipe to your preference, and impress everyone with your baking skills. 

More Dough Recipes:

• Red Velvet Honey Bun Recipe
• Aldi Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Recipe
• Croissant Dough Recipe