Cookie Monday - Monster Cookies

Welcome back to Cookie Monday!  This week we are making an oldie but a goodie! – Monster cookies!  The “new age” everything cookie is called “kitchen sink” cookies, but Monster cookies will always be my favorite.  I loved these cookies as a child and when I made them for Christmas last year, I decided I need to add them to the regular rotation!  Why only enjoy your favorites one time of year?! 

 

Bill of Materials:

½ C Butter

1 ¼ C Brown Sugar

1 C Sugar

3 Eggs

¼ t Vanilla

2 t Baking soda

2 C Peanut Butter

4 ½ C Oatmeal

½ C Chocolate Chips

½ C M&Ms

 

Since I am in the process of cleaning out my pantry (check out my other pantry clean out cookies), I decided to use up some leftover M&Ms from Christmas (Tip: sort the colors and use red for valentines and the green for St Patricks’ day).  Since these cookies are just for myself, I don’t care if they are green.  I’m keeping the red ones for the Fourth of July!  Comment below – I want to know if and how you use out of season items? 

First, cream the sugars, butter, and vanilla.  I used to not cream my sugar and butter and throw everything into the bowl at once, but I have learned that it really does make a difference.  Please cream your sugar and butter!

Then add the eggs and baking soda.  Then add the peanut butter and oats.  Once this is mixed, add the M&Ms and Chocolate Chips. 

 

Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes – don’t over bake these cookies, otherwise they will dry out! 

Enjoy!

How to Wrap Baked Goods

I love baking during the winter because it not only warms up the house a bit, it smells fantastic too.  One of my go-to baked goods is banana bread - when I bake a few loaves of my mother's recipe, the delicious banana-y scent reminds me of my childhood.  Her recipe is so delicious, I eat it for both breakfast and dessert!   

Not only do I make baked goods to eat myself, but they can be great gifts too!  Just a few items from the kitchen (like bakers twine) and your baked goods can go from good to great!

Loaves:  First wrap a baked bread loaf in plastic wrap.  The plastic wrap keeps any crumbs from falling off and keeps the bread moist!  Next, cut a piece or parchment paper the width of the loaf and long enough to completely wrap it.  Lastly, tie with some bakers twine. 

Plate of Muffins: Place muffins on a plate neatly, you don't want to crowd them!  Then wrap the plate of baked goods with plastic wrap and tie off with bakers twine!  

Individual Muffins:  Take some care when wrapping individual muffins with plastic wrap, you don't want a wad of plastic wrap attached to your muffin because you used too much!  For a fancy look, place plastic wrapped muffins in cupcake wrappers and then tie with bakers twine. 

Do you take time to wrap your baked goods?  What types of baked goods are your go-tos?