Big Cookie, Little Time

Last week on our family night, I was responsible for the treat. I wanted to make M&M cookies to use up the last of my Christmas M&M's, but didn't have much time left to make them. So, being crunched for time(I forgot) and not wanting to deal with making batch after batch of cookies, I made a BIG cookie. I make these frequently when I'm short on time, but still want to have cookies. The BIG cookies have also been decorated by piping a border of icing around it and writing "Happy Birthday" or "Be My Valentine" and then packaged up in a pizza box or cake box and given as gifts. You can make these really cute, just like the ones you see at the Great American Cookie store and you'll be saving money. (Happy dance!) Who doesn't like saving money?? I kept this cookie simple since it was going to be devoured soon. No decorating. Just cut and eat! You can make big cookies with any cookie recipe, but for this one I made an Ultimate M&M Cookie recipe, which can be found at the bottom of this post. You can get two big cookies from this recipe!


Step 1: Make cookie dough.


Step 2: Measure out approximately 2 cups of cookie dough and put in the middle of large baking stone or round pizza pan.




Step 3: With a floured roller or clean hands, push dough out to sides to form a circle leaving about 2 inches around pan. The cookie will expand as it cooks.




Step 4: Bake cookie according to recipe directions, you may need a couple minutes longer. Keep a close eye on it. Cool completely before decorating with icing or just cut into squares or wedges with pizza cutter and enjoy!

Ultimate M&M Cookies
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 (12 oz.) pkg. M&M's semi-sweet or milk chocolate baking bits or 1 to 1 1/2 c. regular plain M&M's
3/4 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light & fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Blend in creamed mixture. Stir in M&M's and nuts. Drop by heaping Tbsps. about 2 in. apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-13 mins. or until edges are lightly browned and centers are still soft. Cool 1 min. on cookie sheet Cool completely on wire rack. If making BIG cookie. Follow steps listed above.
Makes 3 dozen.