Transform Ordinary Store-Bought Cookie Dough With One Unexpected Ingredient

Few culinary experiences can top the simple joy of pulling freshly baked cookies out of a warm oven, but making chocolate chip cookies from scratch is not always an option. Thanks to store-bought cookie dough, we have the easy comfort of sweetness ready to bake and serve upon demand. And as with any pre-made ingredient, the instructions found on the label do not have to be written in stone.

Store-bought cookie dough can be upgraded in such a way that friends and family think you spent time whipping up the treats yourself. All you need is a bit of spice to change chocolate chip cookies forever.

Just as cayenne pepper adds a delicious kick to chocolate bark, a pinch of the powder can transform store-bought cookie dough. The contrast of the heat in the sweet dough can emphasize the tasting notes of chocolate in pre-made recipes, and a pinch of cayenne powder in basic sugar cookies can draw out their buttery and caramel notes.

Since cayenne is an ingredient that can pack a kick, knead the powder conservatively into store-bought dough. Even a sprinkle dusted on top of cookies set out onto baking trays will turn up flavor dials on pre-made sweets. If you're looking to punch up the taste of a large batch of cookies, consider using a half teaspoon of cayenne powder per three dozen. You can always add more to the next batch if you're a fan of the lively flavor combination.

While you're inspired to add different ingredients to store-bought cookie dough, you may want to toss in extra pieces of chopped chocolate or a spoonful of Dutch-processed cocoa powder. These chocolatey ingredients play well with the earthy heat of cayenne and borrow inspiration from hot chocolate that has been elevated with cayenne. While you can also add other powdered spices — like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice blend — while you are standing at your spice rack, keep in mind that the goal is a well-balanced taste that could be mistaken for something that was homemade and not taken straight out of a package.