"Martha" side of me ~ Colossal Cookie recipe

I love making this giant cookie to give friends and family as a simple 'thank you' or 'I'm thinking of you' surprise! I first made this for my husband when he was is Seminary--I baked it (on the sly) , and put a note in his student mailbox that told him to retrieve 'something special' from the student mail office! :-)


Colossal Cookie

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup packed light or brown sugar

3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 to 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips (6 ounces equals about 1 cup)

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl at medium speed (I just mix by hand), beat butter or margarine, brown sugar and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Place dough in refrigerator for 1 1/2 hrs. or in freezer for 45 minutes or until chilled, but not hard (chilling makes the dough less sticky and helps prevent excessive spreading during baking).

Grease a 12-inch round foil baking pan (I get mine at the dollar store). Place dough in center of pan. Press evenly to within 1 1/2 inches of edge of pan. If desired, sprinkle additional 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top, pressing down lightly. For easier handling, place foil pan on a baking sheet.

Bake in center of a preheated 325 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are firm and no indentation remains in center of cookie when lightly touched. For a softer cookie, bake the minimum time. Place foil baking pan on a wire rack and cool cookie completely.

If you're really adventurous, use cake decorators icing and decorate the cookie!