Calling all cookie MONSTERS!  We’re celebrating National Cookie Monster Day with….COOKIES!   It’s time to dust off those baking sheets and preheat the oven for a delightful baking extravaganza. There’s no better way to celebrate this sweet occasion than by treating yourself to some homemade cookies that are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. From classic chocolate chip to chewy oatmeal raisin…you’ll want to try all 5 of these recipes TODAY.  Nom nom nom

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies: 

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
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
  6. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  8. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies!

 

Peanut Butter Cookies:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and sugar until well combined.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt until the dough is smooth.
  4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to make a crisscross pattern on the cookies, flattening them slightly.
  5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are set and slightly golden.
  6. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious homemade peanut butter cookies!

 

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated 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 old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the oats and raisins.
  4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious oatmeal raisin cookies!

 

Ginger Cookies: 

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar (for rolling)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture.
  3. Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
  4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious homemade ginger cookies!

 

Shortbread Cookies: 

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  2. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  3. 2 cups all-purpose flour
  4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  5. Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or the zest of one lemon (for added flavor)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
  3. Gradually add the flour and salt to the mixture, combining until the dough comes together. If using, add the vanilla extract or lemon zest at this stage and mix well.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. You can use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes, or you can shape it into a log and slice it into rounds.
  5. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and prick them with a fork to create a decorative pattern.
  6. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  7. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

You can store these shortbread cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. Enjoy your delicious homemade shortbread cookies!