Wendy Kou - Colossal Cookies

CREATOR OF MY DESSERT DIET

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I LOVE cookies. Really its not just a casual, I love cookies statement, but a bold, standing-proud-on-the-roof-of-my-Brooklyn-apartment-waving-my-arms-in-the-air-declaring-to-the-world I LOVE COOKIES!! statement.

So, the colossal cookie came about when I decided that I wanted to be a little funny one day. I have my husband to thank for this, who has also reaped the benefits from my love for baking, and of course, cookies, and he reminded me that I was trying to be on a diet. Well, diets dont work so well for me because I absolutely love sweets, so hence my blog My Dessert Diet. One Sunday morning I was baking cookies and made a bet with my husband that I would have just one cookie. He quickly agreed, without thinking twice, and then I was off making two cookies. Not just any kind of cookie, but in fact, one colossal cookie for myself and one regular-sized cookie for him. HA. The joke was on him.

After the two cookies came out of the oven, he quickly ran over to keep me honest to the bet, but then found out that I had decided to bake one massive, colossal cookie for myself that was bigger than my head and weighed more than three pounds. HA! So of course I won, but that was the sweet moment that the colossal cookie was born.

From there on out, I got more creative and started to stuff them, which really made it that much better. Nearly all the cookies in this book are stuffed with another cookie or filling, which creates that fun element of surprise that I just love and cannot get enough of. One of my favorite parts is breaking open the cookies to see the beautiful layer of stuffing inside.

In this book, I have compiled the best of the best colossal cookie recipes. I invite you to bake, and most importantly, to share colossal cookies with your friends and families. Ive seen so many happy faces and mouths wide open with delight that I want you to share this fun and joy with everyone you know! Last, but not least, definitely have the time of your life, because I had the most fabulous time of my life creating this just for you.

The majority of the cookies in this book are stuffed, and to the right is a visual step-by-step of the process.

STUFFING THE COLOSSAL COOKIE

Start with two cookie dough balls; one for the top of the cookie and one for the bottom.

Use the palms of your hands to flatten the cookie dough balls to round circles (about inch [1 cm] thick).

Add stuffing to the center of one of the flattened dough circles.

Place the other flattened dough over the stuffing.

Pinch the top and bottom edges of the cookie together and smooth out the sides for a seamless cookie, which creates a seal for the stuffing. This step is extremely important. If the sides open up while baking, the stuffing ingredients such as caramel, chocolate ganache or marshmallow will leak out from the sides. The cookie will be a dome-shape, but it will flatten out while baking.

Cover the entire cookie with chocolate chips or sprinkles and gently press them into the cookie dough to set them in place.

BAKING COLOSSAL COOKIES

All the recipes instruct you to place the cookies in the freezer anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, but usually for at least 20 minutes. That time in the freezer allows the dough to chill and the flour and butter to rest, letting more of that amazing cookie flavor come out. If youre baking the cookies on the same day you make the dough, there is no need to cover or wrap the cookies, but if you would like to save the cookies to bake another time, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. They can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for up to two weeks. When ready to bake, be sure to place the cookie in the center of the baking sheet as it will spread out while baking. There is no need to thaw out the cookies before baking.

IS THE COLOSSAL COOKIE FULLY BAKED?

Because not all ovens are created equal, if the bake time is up and the center of the cookie appears to be raw, then leave it in the oven for another 3 to 5 minutes and continue to check until the center has a light crisp layer on top.

SHARING IS CARING

The size of each colossal cookie varies among the different recipes, but on average it will be 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in diameter. If youre willing to share, one cookie can be shared by 2 to 4 people. The recipes all yield at least 2 cookies, which is perfect for 4 to 8 people. Also, the recipes can be doubled to make more colossal cookies so you can have more to yourself!

EXTRA COOKIE DOUGH

Some recipes may yield extra cookie dough. For any extra cookie dough, either keep it in plastic wrap and save it in the refrigerator or freezer for another time, or make traditional-sized cookies and bake at 350F (177C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

For more helpful tips to create fantastic colossal cookies, refer to the chapter.

Start with two cookie dough balls; one for the top of the cookie and one for the bottom.

Use the palms of your hands to flatten the cookie dough balls to round circles (aboutinch [1 cm] thick). Add stuffing to the center of one of the flattened dough circles.

Pinch the top and bottom edges of the cookie together and smooth out the sides for a seamless cookie, which creates a seal for the stuffing. This step is extremely important. If the sides open up while baking, the stuffing ingredients will leak out from the sides.

Cover the entire cookie with chocolate chips or sprinkles and gently press them into the cookie dough to set them in place.

My all-time favorite cookie recipes feature a variety of my go-tos and top 10 must-haves. It was quite a struggle to narrow it down to 10, but I promise that these are definite crowd pleasers, and there is something for everyone. Ive tested these with friends, relatives, friends-of-friends and colleagues, and even the most stubborn dieter will make sure that their cheat-day falls on the day that youre making these cookies. AND, if youre looking to win that baking contest or show off at a school or work function, trust me, Ive got the right recipes here for you!