Basic Cookie Dough

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 3/4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown or Muscovado sugar
• 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ingredients for variations
• Equipment
• For bars: 8- x 8- x 2-inch pan lined with a long piece of foil folded to cover the bottom of the pan. Allow it to extend up and over 2 sides to serve as handles for removing the baked cookies.
• For all other cookies unless otherwise noted: ungreased baking sheets (can be lined with parchment or silicone baking mats).