Colossal Cookies

Colossal Cookies @ NancyC

There’s a little cafe I sometimes go to that sells Colossal Cookies. I thought the cafe came up with that name, but apparently there really is a type of cookie that is officially called a Colossal Cookie! They’re typically made with oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips. And you’d never know it, but there’s no flour in these–just a little baking soda!

A friend and co-worker of mine, Rick, emailed me a recipe for these cookies and I also checked one out at Allrecipes–they were pretty similar. I made a few small changes in the amounts of oats and chocolate chips used, and they turned out really well! Some recipes say to flatten the cookies a little with a fork before baking–I tried baking these flattened and unflattened, and I like them unflattened better–they come out a little thicker and chewier.

The batter for these cookies is very thick and there’s a lot of it, so you’ll want to use your largest mixing bowl when you make these!

COLOSSAL COOKIES by NancyC, adapted from Allrecipes

Makes about 34 large cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups chunky peanut butter

2 teaspoons baking soda

5 3/4 cups quick cooking oats

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

In an extra-large bowl, cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and peanut butter, mixing well. Mix in the baking soda, then add the oats and chocolate chips until well blended–you should end up with a thick dough). Drop 1/4 cupfuls of dough 3 to 4 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets (I baked 8 at a time on my cookie sheets). You can flatten the dough slightly with a fork if you want a cookie that’s a little flatter, wider, and more crispy, but if you like your cookies thick and chewy, don’t flatten! I didn’t flatten mine.

Bake at 350˚F for 15 to 17 minutes, until cookies just start to turn golden. Cool for a few minutes on cookie sheets, then place cookies on wire racks to cool completely.