Humongous Cookies: Recipes and Tips for Baking Giant Delights
Are you tired of the same old small cookies? Do you crave a treat that’s both satisfying and impressive? Look no further than humongous cookies! These oversized delights are perfect for sharing (or not!), gifting, or simply indulging in a truly decadent dessert experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about baking humongous cookies, from choosing the right ingredients to mastering the baking process. We’ll explore some exciting recipes, offer helpful tips and tricks, and answer frequently asked questions to ensure your giant cookie baking adventures are a resounding success.
## Why Bake Humongous Cookies?
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s explore why humongous cookies are so appealing:
* **They’re Fun and Impressive:** A giant cookie is a showstopper! It’s a fun and unexpected treat that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. They are perfect for parties, celebrations, or just a special treat.
* **They’re Customizable:** The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavor combinations. You can adapt your favorite cookie recipes to create giant versions or experiment with new and exciting flavors.
* **They’re Perfect for Sharing (or Not!):** While humongous cookies are great for sharing, they’re also perfectly acceptable for solo indulgence. Cut a slice and savor the deliciousness or challenge yourself to conquer the whole thing!
* **They’re a Great Gift:** A beautifully decorated humongous cookie makes a thoughtful and unique gift for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
* **They offer a unique texture experience:** The center remains softer while the edges have a crispy and chewy texture that is hard to achieve with smaller cookies.
## Essential Ingredients for Humongous Cookies
The foundation of any great cookie is high-quality ingredients. Here’s a rundown of the key players:
* **Flour:** All-purpose flour is the most common choice for cookies. It provides structure and chewiness. For a slightly softer cookie, you can use cake flour or a combination of all-purpose and cake flour. Bread flour will result in a chewier cookie. Remember that weighing flour is far more accurate than measuring by volume.
* **Butter:** Unsalted butter is preferred because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Make sure the butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming. Room temperature butter should be soft enough to make a slight indent when pressed, but should not be oily or melted. If you are using salted butter, reduce the salt in the recipe by about 1/4 teaspoon.
* **Sugar:** Granulated sugar adds sweetness and crispness to cookies. Brown sugar (light or dark) adds moisture, chewiness, and a caramel-like flavor. Using a combination of both sugars creates a balanced texture and flavor profile. Dark brown sugar will contribute more molasses flavor than light brown sugar.
* **Eggs:** Eggs bind the ingredients together and add moisture and richness. Use large eggs unless otherwise specified in the recipe. Many recipes will call for just egg yolks or whites. Yolks add fat and moisture while egg whites help make the cookies lighter.
* **Baking Soda and Baking Powder:** These are leavening agents that help the cookies rise. Baking soda requires an acidic ingredient (like brown sugar or molasses) to activate, while baking powder contains both an acid and a base. Using both can create a perfectly textured cookie.
* **Salt:** Salt enhances the flavor of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness. Use table salt or sea salt. Some recipes call for flaky sea salt to sprinkle on top of the cookies. This elevates the presentation and adds a burst of salty flavor.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor and enhances the other ingredients. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results. Imitation vanilla extract can have a slightly artificial flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips/Chunks:** Use your favorite type of chocolate chips or chunks – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or even white chocolate. You can also chop up a chocolate bar for a more rustic look and intense flavor. Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Valrhona are all excellent brands.
* **Nuts:** Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds add flavor, texture, and crunch. Toasting the nuts before adding them to the dough will enhance their flavor.
* **Other Add-Ins:** Get creative with your add-ins! Consider using dried fruit, pretzels, toffee bits, sprinkles, or even chopped candy bars.
## Essential Equipment for Humongous Cookies
Having the right equipment will make the baking process much easier and more enjoyable:
* **Mixing Bowls:** You’ll need at least two mixing bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients.
* **Electric Mixer:** An electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer) is essential for creaming the butter and sugar. You can cream by hand, but it takes a lot of effort and time.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** Accurate measurements are crucial for successful baking.
* **Rubber Spatula:** A rubber spatula is perfect for scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in ingredients.
* **Baking Sheets:** Use large baking sheets to accommodate the giant cookies. Line them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** These prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and make cleanup easier.
* **Ice Cream Scoop or Large Spoon:** Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to portion out the dough evenly.
* **Oven Thermometer:** An oven thermometer ensures that your oven is heating to the correct temperature. This is important for even baking.
* **Wire Rack:** A wire rack allows the cookies to cool evenly.
* **Pizza Cutter or Large Knife:** This makes it easy to cut the giant cookie into slices.
## Humongous Cookie Recipes
Now for the fun part – the recipes! Here are a few of our favorite humongous cookie recipes to get you started:
### 1. Classic Chocolate Chip Humongous Cookie
This is a timeless favorite that everyone will love.
**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 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop a large mound of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten it slightly with your hand.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft. Don’t overbake!
9. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve!
### 2. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Humongous Cookie
For peanut butter lovers, this cookie is a dream come true.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup peanut butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups chocolate chunks (milk or dark)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Stir in the chocolate chunks.
7. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop a large mound of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten it slightly with your hand.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft. Don’t overbake!
9. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve!
### 3. Oatmeal Raisin Humongous Cookie
A healthier (and still delicious) option.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups rolled oats
* 1 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Stir in the rolled oats, raisins, and walnuts (if using).
7. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop a large mound of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten it slightly with your hand.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft. Don’t overbake!
9. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve!
### 4. Triple Chocolate Humongous Cookie
For serious chocolate cravings, this cookie is a must-try.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup dark chocolate chips
* 1 cup milk chocolate chips
* 1 cup white chocolate chips
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Stir in the dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips.
7. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop a large mound of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten it slightly with your hand.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft. Don’t overbake!
9. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve!
### 5. Sugar Cookie Humungous Cookie
A blank canvas for decoration!
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop a large mound of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten it slightly with your hand.
7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t overbake!
8. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or edible glitter!
## Tips and Tricks for Baking Perfect Humongous Cookies
* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Room temperature butter creams more easily with sugar, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie. If you forgot to take the butter out of the refrigerator, you can soften it quickly by cutting it into small cubes and letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough cookie. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. This also allows the flavors to meld together. For best results, chill the dough for several hours or overnight. If you chill the dough, you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
* **Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** These prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and make cleanup easier.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking will result in dry, hard cookies. The cookies are done when the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft.
* **Let the Cookies Cool Completely:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent them from breaking.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations. Try adding different types of chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or spices.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will result in a better-tasting cookie. Use pure vanilla extract, good quality chocolate, and fresh butter.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Ovens vary in temperature, so you may need to adjust the baking time slightly. Use an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven is heating to the correct temperature.
* **Make them into Cookie Cakes:** Bake the entire amount of dough in a round cake pan for about 30-40 minutes. Let it cool completely and frost like a cake!
## Decorating Your Humongous Cookies
Decorating humongous cookies is a fun way to personalize them and make them even more special. Here are a few ideas:
* **Frosting:** Use your favorite frosting recipe to decorate the cookies. You can use buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, or royal icing. Add food coloring to create different colors.
* **Sprinkles:** Sprinkles add a festive touch to any cookie. Use different colors and shapes of sprinkles to create unique designs.
* **Edible Glitter:** Edible glitter adds a touch of sparkle to your cookies. Sprinkle it on top of the frosting or use it to create designs.
* **Chocolate Drizzle:** Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for a simple yet elegant decoration. Use different types of chocolate to create different effects.
* **Candy:** Add your favorite candies to the cookies for a fun and playful decoration. Use M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or other small candies.
* **Fresh Fruit:** Top sugar cookie humongous cookie with fresh fruit and a light glaze.
## Storing Humongous Cookies
To keep your humongous cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will typically last for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the cookies for longer storage. To freeze cookies, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will last for up to 2-3 months in the freezer. To thaw frozen cookies, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
## Humongous Cookie FAQs
* **Can I make humongous cookies ahead of time?** Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for longer storage.
* **Can I use a different type of flour?** Yes, you can use different types of flour, such as cake flour or bread flour. Cake flour will result in a softer cookie, while bread flour will result in a chewier cookie.
* **Can I use a different type of sugar?** Yes, you can use different types of sugar, such as coconut sugar or maple syrup. Keep in mind that these sugars may affect the texture and flavor of the cookies.
* **Can I make humongous cookies without eggs?** Yes, you can make humongous cookies without eggs. There are many egg substitutes available, such as applesauce, mashed banana, or flaxseed meal.
* **Why are my cookies spreading too much?** There are several reasons why your cookies might be spreading too much. It could be that the butter was too warm, the dough was overmixed, or the oven temperature was too low.
* **Why are my cookies dry?** Your cookies might be dry if they were overbaked, or if you used too much flour.
* **How can I make my cookies chewier?** To make your cookies chewier, use bread flour, brown sugar, and don’t overbake them.
## Conclusion
Baking humongous cookies is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right ingredients, equipment, and techniques, you can create giant delights that will impress your friends and family. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake some humongous cookies! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and decorations to create your own unique masterpieces. Happy baking!