Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies Recipe

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As a busy home baker (or, let’s be honest, an occasional cookie enthusiast), there’s something magical about how easy these Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies make life.

How to make Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies

Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies are pre-made, pre-portioned cookie dough pieces sold by Pillsbury that let you bake fresh cookies quickly without mixing ingredients yourself.

Ingredients

• A package of Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies
• Chocolate chips, sprinkles, crushed nuts, marshmallows, or caramel bits.

Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet or cookie sheet
• Parchment paper or a non-stick baking sheet (optional for easy clean-up)
• Oven

Instructions for Baking Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies

1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (or the temperature specified on the cookie packaging).
2. Prepare your baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease the surface lightly if needed. This step helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
3. Place the cookie dough: Remove the pre-portioned cookie dough pieces from the package. Place each piece on the baking sheet, making sure they are spaced at least 2 inches apart. This allows room for the cookies to spread as they bake.
4. Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for the time specified on the package (usually around 10–14 minutes, depending on the flavor and size of the cookies). Check for doneness by looking for light golden edges and a slightly soft center. Avoid overbaking for a soft, chewy texture!
5. Cool and enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely—or dig in while they’re warm for that gooey, fresh-out-of-the-oven experience.

Tips for Perfect Pillsbury Cookies

• Use parchment paper for even baking: This not only prevents sticking but also helps the cookies bake evenly, making for a consistent texture.
• Experiment with creative add-ons: Mix things up by pressing a few chocolate chips, candies, or nuts on top of the dough before baking. This adds a personal touch to your cookies.
• Time your baking carefully: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. Start checking them 1–2 minutes before the recommended bake time to ensure they don’t overcook.
• Customize shapes and sizes: While the dough comes in pre-portioned pieces, you can shape them into smaller balls for mini cookies or press two pieces together for larger ones. Adjust baking time accordingly.
• For softer cookies: Bake for the minimum time recommended and allow them to cool slightly on the sheet. Cookies continue to firm up as they cool.
• Make cookie sandwiches: Take your Pillsbury cookies to the next level by spreading frosting, ice cream, or Nutella between two cookies for a decadent treat.
• Store them properly: Place baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to a week (though they’re usually gone long before that!).

What to serve with

Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies are undeniably delicious on their own, but pairing them with the right accompaniments can make your cookie-eating experience even more memorable.

• Milk: The ultimate companion to cookies! Whether you prefer regular, almond, oat, soy, or chocolate milk, there’s nothing quite like dunking a warm, gooey cookie into a cold glass. Chocolate chip and sugar cookies, in particular, taste amazing with milk.
• Coffee or Espresso: Hot coffee, cappuccino, or an espresso shot is an ideal pairing for cookies like oatmeal raisin or peanut butter. The strong, slightly bitter taste of coffee complements the sweetness of the cookies beautifully—perfect for an afternoon indulgence.
• Hot Chocolate: A cozy winter favorite, hot chocolate, served with cookies, creates a dessert-like treat duo that warms you inside and out. Try adding a dollop of whipped cream to your hot chocolate and dipping sugar cookies or chocolate chip cookies into it for a delicious experience.

Ingredients Substitutes

Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies are designed for convenience, providing pre-made cookie dough with all the essential ingredients already included.

1. Substitutes for Baking Sheet Preparation

Before baking Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies, you typically need to prepare a baking sheet. If you find yourself without the recommended items, here are some substitutes:

• Parchment Paper Substitute: Use aluminum foil coated with cooking spray as an alternative to prevent sticking.
• No Baking Sheet? No Problem!: Use a heat-safe glass casserole dish or an oven-safe skillet to bake cookies. Make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if the material affects heat distribution.

2. Substitutes for Flavor & Texture Add-Ins

The beauty of Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies is their customization-friendly nature. If you’re looking to switch out ingredients or flavors, consider these:

Chocolate Chips/Chunks:

If you want to add extra chocolate but don’t have standard chocolate chips, try:

• Chopped chocolate bars (any kind—milk, dark, or white).
• Candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms).
• Chocolate spread—drop small dollops onto the cookie dough before baking for gooey bursts of chocolate.

Sugar-Free or Keto-Friendly Additions

For those looking to reduce sugar while still enjoying their cookies:

• Use sugar-free chocolate chips, available in most stores.
• Add in nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch without added sugar.
• Sprinkle some seeds (chia seeds or flaxseeds) into the dough for texture and a nutritional boost.

Nut Allergies? Nut-Free Substitutes

• Replace chopped nuts (like walnuts) with toasted oats, Rice Krispies, or crushed pretzels for crunch.
• Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter for recipes like peanut butter cookies.

Flavors and Extracts

Want to enhance the flavor but don’t have specific spices or extracts? Try these swaps:

• Vanilla extract: Replace with almond extract, maple syrup, or honey for a different spin on flavor.
• Cinnamon: Nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice adds a similar warmth to cookies.

3. Substitutes for Moisture Additions

While Pillsbury cookie dough is already formulated for perfect moisture, sometimes you may want your cookies extra gooey or need to compensate if they seem a little dry (perhaps if the dough sat out too long).

Butter Replacement:

If you want to grease the dough balls or need an additional butter boost:

• Use margarine or vegan butter for a non-dairy alternative.
• Coconut oil works well and adds a slight tropical flavor.

Egg Replacements for Vegan or Egg-Free Baking

Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies often come ready to bake without eggs. However, if you’re combining the dough with another mix or extending the recipe, you may need egg substitutes:

• Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water for 1 egg replacement.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup applesauce as an egg substitute in recipes. This works great for binding while adding a natural sweetness.
• Mashed Banana: Similarly, 1/4 cup mashed banana can substitute for 1 egg. It works best in peanut butter or sugar cookies.

Final Thoughts

Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies are a delight on their own, but the right accompaniments can transform them into an unforgettable treat experience.

More Pillsbury Recipes:

• Pillsbury Gingerbread Cookie Dough Recipe
• Copycat Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
• Copycat Pillsbury Turkey Cookies Recipe