I Tried the Genius Store-Bought Cookie Dough Hack Fans Say They’re Having 'Every Night For the Foreseeable Future'

Store-bought cookie dough is a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still crave freshly baked cookies. It’s convenient, mess-free and ready to bake straight from the package—no need to measure, mix or deal with a sink full of dishes afterward.

But let’s be honest, store-bought dough doesn’t always have that homemade taste. After a holiday season full of cookies made from scratch, store-bought dough can seem a bit one-dimensional.

There are ways to elevate store-bought dough, though! Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty flavor and that bakery-worthy finish. Mix in extras—like chopped nuts, a dash of cinnamon or a handful of your favorite chocolate chips—to make the cookies feel more homemade.

If you don't want to do any of that, though, there is a way to make store-bought cookie dough even better, and it's one tip you're going to want to try right away. Food creator and cookbook author Sarah Fennel shared this amazing hack on Instagram (@bromabakery), and I knew I had to try it.

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How to Make Cookie Cups

Sarah used chocolate chip cookie dough to make cookie cups. She used store-bought dough that she rolled into large balls and baked into large cookies. She placed two on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cut the parchment into two so that each ball of dough had its own section. (That is important info for later.)

She baked the cookies and then used the parchment paper to help flip them into her dessert cup. Because they were still warm and slightly gooey, they settled into the shape of the cup, lining it with yummy, warm cookie goodness.

Then, she placed two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the cookie and drizzled that with caramel sauce.

Sarah said this is a dessert she sees herself making "every night for the foreseeable future" and we think we'll join her—this looks delicious! We love a simple dessert that feels decadent, and this treat hits all the right notes.

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What People Are Saying About the Cookie Cup Hack

Understandably, people loved this idea and were ready to make their own cookie cups right away.

"Okay you’ve inspired me, will try it ASAP!" someone commented on Sarah's post.

"Can I have this for breakfast," another person joked, but we want to know the same thing!

"Making this tonight," someone chimed in. Seriously, we're going to get cookie dough right now.

We love that this can be customized, too. You can choose whatever type of dough and ice cream you want and top it with caramel, chocolate syrup, sprinkles or whipped cream- or all of that at once!

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What I Thought of the Cookie Cup Hack

As soon as I finished writing this, I realized I had everything to make this dessert, so I gave it a try. I have to eat gluten-free, so I used Sweet Loren's Cookie Dough Salted Caramel Chocolate dough for my cookie cup. I always bake these cookies three minutes less than the package calls for because baking them all the way makes them a little harder than I like. I used two cookie dough balls and mashed them together to form one large cookie, then baked it.

Once it was done, I was able to scoop the cookie into a wine glass and it immediately formed to the glass, since it was still pliable. I then topped that with Turkey Hill Vanilla Salted Caramel ice cream and drizzled it with Werther's Original New Soft Caramels, which I melted in the microwave. It was warm and gooey and chocolatey and the perfect quick and easy dessert.

Start to finish, this dessert took about 12 minutes to make and it was absolutely delicious! I will be making this again!

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