Sunday, April 15, 2012

Chocolate Monster Cookies from Baking Basics and Beyond- A Review and Giveaway!



A couple weeks ago I shared a recipe for Cowboy Cookies that had crushed cornflakes in them. I really liked that addition so when I was sent this cookbook, Baking Basics and Beyond by Pat Sinclair, for review I knew I'd be making Chocolate Monster Cookies. These cookies were LOADED with flavor from oats to cornflakes to little candy coated chocolates. What makes these cookies different is that there's cocoa in the dough. Why didn't I think of that?



This recipe makes a boat load of cookies- a whopping 8 dozen! I cut the recipe in half and made about 4 dozen large cookies, still quite a bit for sharing. I chose to add Spring colored M&M's to my dough but you could also use chocolate or butterscotch chips. The thing is, the dough is so flavorful I'd be happy without the added bursts of chocolate. And when have you ever heard me say that? These cookies were crisp on the outside and had a slight chew in the center. I liked them a minute or two underbaked for a chewier cookie. They were excellent with a tall glass of ice cold milk.



Baking Basics and Beyond is a great book. It's loaded with all kinds of basic information from how to grease and flour pans, to how to make whipped cream, melt chocolate to how to assemble and frost a layer cake to how to make the perfect pie crust and what "blind baking" means. There's a wealth of knowledge in this book. The recipes are thorough and come with Baker's Notes on how to achieve success with each baked good. There are both sweet and savory recipes in this book and while not each recipe is accompanied with a photo, the ones that are included are great quality and in color. With over 120 recipes in this book, there is something for everyone- most are from scratch but there are a couple that call for boxed brownie mix or jarred caramel sauce. This paperback is perfect for both beginner and skilled bakers and would make a great gift or a nice addition to your cookbook collection.



Chocolate Monster Cookies from Baking Basics and Beyond
Printer Friendly Version 
  • 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 2 cups cornflakes, lightly crushed
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or 12 oz. M&M's
Heat oven to 350 degrees F with oven rack in middle. Lightly grease cookie sheets (I used parchment paper).

Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a very large bowl.

Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a bowl of a heavy-duty mixer on medium-high speed until creamy, scraping down sides of bowl once or twice. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix well.

Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat til dough forms.

Scrape dough back into the very large bowl. Add the oatmeal, corn flakes, and chips and stir until well mixed. (I added the fillings to the mixing bowl and stirred them in by hand).

Using a 1/4-cup ice cream scoop, drop dough onto cookie sheets. Drop 6 cookies onto each cookie sheet.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until set in the center and the edges are lightly browned. For softer cookies, reduce baking time slightly. The cookies will still look a little moist in the center. Cool cookies 1 minute on the cookie sheets them place them on wire cooling racks.

These cookies should be stored loosely covered at room temperature.

Makes about 8 dozen cookies.

Reprinted with permission from Baking Basics and Beyond, Second Edition, by Pat Sinclair, Agate Surrey, December 2011.



GIVEAWAY: I mentioned there was a giveaway, right? Agate Publishing is giving away one copy of Baking Basics and Beyond (Second Edition) by Pat Sinclair to one lucky reader. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this blog telling me why you want to win this book. I'll announce a winner on Friday, April 20th. One comment per person, please.

93 comments:

amy beth marantino said...

ii want this book because i need some new ideas to improve my baking repertoire.

Anonymous said...

Love any new cook or baking book

Your cookies look really yummy = )

Christine T
cteo23@gmail.com

What's for dessert? said...

I love baking cookbooks and there is always something new to learn

Laura said...

First off, love this recipe! I absolutely love the fact that there's conrflakes in the cookies and I am SO going to try these when I've got time for it. So thanks so much for sharing.

As for the book... Well, one can never have quite enough cookbooks, now can you? Because there's always more to learn and certainly if it's a book that has a delicious cookie recipe like the one you made!

Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche said...

I'd love this book! I'm far more of a beginner at baking than I am at cooking so it'd be great to get some tips!

Julie said...

Ii would love this book. It looks like it would help me improve my cooking skills. Thanks.

Melody said...

I'm all about the basics!

cal+claire said...

I would love to win this book! I have been baking for a long time and have several mommies I need to bake for coming up (they just had a baby). I'd like to be able to do something new and special, but I'm pretty tapped on the recipes I have.

Love your blog!

Angy said...

I've really gotten into baking and love to bake for my family and friends so this book wil really be able to teach me a lot more about baking! :D

Taylor said...

Monster cookies are my absolute favorite kind of cookie...I can't wait to try them with more chocolate!! I would love to win this cookbook...I love cookbooks with Baker's Notes!!

Lindsay said...

I'm moving back to the US soon and gave my cookbooks away before leaving the country three years ago (except for the one that made the trip with me). This would be a nice start to my new collection.

I've pretty much taught myself how to bake, and it would be nice to learn more tricks of the trade!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness these are GIANT cookies! And they look fantastic and so cute with the little touch of Easter M&Ms :)

If all the recipes in this book tunrout like these cookies, I bet it will be fantastic. I've been good and haven't bought any new cookbooks or magazines in a really long time. It would be nice to have a new one and see different recipes out there :)

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Why do I want to win a copy of this book? Because I'm addicted to collecting cookbooks and I don't have this one yet ;).

Peggy Clyde said...

I would love to have this book because my granddaughters are wanting to learn how to cook. This would be helpful in teaching them. Those monster cookies look delicious. Thanks.

Heather said...

It is a book that features things like chocolate. Why wouldn't anyone LOVE it? :)

Heather

Suburban prep said...

for a few reasons. One is that my husband makes cookies for work and he is always searching for a better cookie. Than anothr is that my nieces and nephews love to help in the kitchen making things.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Jodi said...

I would like this book because it has a wide variety of recipes - like that it applies to beginners (so I can cook with my kids) and advanced (so I can learn something) as well as being mostly from scratch because that is the most fun way to bake :)

Jenise said...

I need to win this book, for some reason half the time my baking never turns out the way it should and I know this book would help with that!

Anonymous said...

It'd be nice to win. Something. Hahah. Seriously though~ who doesn't love baking cookies? Well I'm not so great but this could help. :)

Barb said...

I have just recently started to enjoy baking and finding success with new recipes. I'd love to get some new tips to help me be successful. Thanks!

At Home Mama said...

I would love to win this cookbook because I always love cookbooks that talk about the basics!

Lynn Thompson said...

I would love to win this cookbook to give it to my 25 year old son who has recently graduated from Graduate school and started his own life 8 hours from home. He loves to cook and bake but is just learning. This would be such a help to him.

Chantal said...

I want this cookbook because baking is a favorite past time of mine and there is always something new to learn!

Mom24 said...

I want this cookbook because I have 4 kids and run a home daycare--good treats are always in demand. :)

Girl Schmuck said...

Can't eat any of this, but it is so fun to live through your blog. I cheat like heck at certain times of the month... but for the most part, I try very hard to avoid the sugar because of my diabetes.

Love to read you. Can't wait to see the birthday party food for baby.

Krista said...

I would love this book because I love to bake and I need some new recipes.

RhubarbLady said...

Love the spring m and m's on the cookies and I like how they bake up so pretty by putting the candies on top. I'd love the book for helping me learn how to make and frost a cake. I'm pretty good at candies and cookies but cakes still defeat me.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book ,to add to my collection. It would be a great addition because I love to bake! And how cool to say "I won it from one of the best blogs around!" Thanks for all the great recipes! Tina Tompkins

hello said...

I currently have gestational diabetes, so these treats are off limits. However, once the baby is here, in September, I can indulge in a few. It would be lovely to have a new cookbook to look forward to until then.

April was in CA now MA said...

Those cookies look so tasty!! I could definitely use a few tips and for the kitchen, I'd love, love to win this book!

Susan said...

I don't own any baking cookbooks, and I'd like to finally learn how to make a successful piecrust!!

Valerie said...

I loved the idea of these monster cookies & being able to leave out the extra chocolate if you want to... But... who would "want" to leave out the chocolate?! *Giggle* I'm always looking for new recipes and love when there are extra notes & tips to help you out - the more tips & info the better for the baker, right? Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy - I think that's wonderful!! :)

Patti said...

I love to bake and this book sounds amazing with the notes and suggestions!!

Anonymous said...

As old as I am, can you believe I have never made these? With grandkids now living close by, I'm anxious to make up for lost time 1 I would LOVE to win this book !
Denise

- Ilaria Benatti- said...

I'll try them soon!

JudyR said...

I would love to win this book as I love cookbooks and am always looking for new recipes

Krista Rea said...

I would love this baking book because I thoroughly enjoy baking! I have many random baking recipes from various places! Having a cookbook with all those wonderful recipes would be fantastic!!!

Thank you for your blog!!
Krista

Kayleigh said...

Those cookies look great, and so does the cookbook!

Jennie35 said...

I love reading and making recipes from cookbooks. This one looks great!

White Toast with Butter said...

I want it because I'm addicted to cookbooks. ;-) Great looking cookies.

Muffin said...

I'd love to win because I love making cookies and reading cookbooks is one of my favorite ways to relax.

Sandra said...

I'd like to win this to pick up new techniques and get a refresher course on others.

Anonymous said...

I love books, but am not a bog reader. Cook books are my favorite, and this one looks great! Tiffany ~ adamtiffany1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Always on the hunt for new recipes! Would love the addition of another cookbook. Thank you for the opportunity. Cookies look yummy!!! ~Laurie

jjbrewski at msn dot com

Tania said...

I would really like this book because I would like to learn the basic techniques so I can improve my cooking

cropmom66 said...

I love to bake, and am always looking for new recipes. I am also a little bit of a cookbook fanatic!!!Thanks for the great giveaway!!

Laura P said...

I would love to win this because my daughter and I both love to bake and you can never have too many cookbooks! And those cookies look awesome!

kimt said...

i love cookies and i love baking. looks like a great bedtime read!

BrittenC said...

This looks like a wonderful cookbook that would contain a lot of helpful information for someone like me who is not such a great baker.

Laura Blickenstaff said...

I love to bake and would love some new recipes to try!

Anonymous said...

i'm find myself having to relocate and not bring many of my current things so would love to have a basic book that covers lots of fundalmentals.

jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net

Sharona said...

I love new baking cookbooks!

missouri_mommy said...

Always looking for a great baking book with tried and true recipes. :)

COMILLERS said...

My family is BIG cookie fans. Looks like a fun book

sherry said...

Because I love baking and baking cookbooks, thats the reason I would love to win this!! I also have a soon to be 4yr old grand daughter that loves helping me bake and those times are very special to us both.

Beachwalk83 said...

Laurie W.--MA
If I won this book, I would give it to my daughter as an engagement/graduation/we are so proud of you gift. She is marrying a wonderful cook and is working hard on her culinary skills.

Anonymous said...

gonna have to try these cookies - they look yummy! Would love to win this cookbook - I LOVE cookbooks!!!

Darcy said...

Baking is my all time favorite thing to do in the kitchen! I haven't purchased a new cookbook in years. I would love to win this one! Thanks for putting this giveaway on your blog!

Anonymous said...

I'm terrible at baking... I definitely need to know the 'Basics & Beyond!'

Kate B.

Trawick Family said...

I SO love to bake, but with two young children always feel like there is no time. I've decided to take more time to enjoy being in the kitchen...along with my children! I'm hoping they'll enjoy it too and we can make some "sweet" memories! :)

Lauren T
laurenbtrawick@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this giveaway because baking is my favorite way to cook! Cookies, cake, macarons I love to bring them to any gathering !

Corisa
jubinsky2114@yahoo.com

Hennifer said...

Those cookies sound great. I would like to win a cookbook because I am always printing recipes off the web and losing them. I'd rather have some winners in a bound book and made adaptations.

Anonymous said...

I would love to be able to give this book to my 15 yr old Granddaughter who loves baking with me!

Pam Lawson said...

I would like to win this book so I could try the Savory Bleu Cheese Cheesecake recipe I saw listed in the recipe index on Amazon..plus I just love to read cookbooks.

Cindy said...

I would like to win because, I LOVE anything that has to do with baking!
cindyskitchen@yahoo.com

Deborah said...

I would give this book to my daughter who recently has taken an interest in baking while she is away at college!

Maria_NJ said...

like many of the other posters if I win this book it would go to my son who is leaving home to start a new life in the UK!!! (it is really going to be OK Maria) he loves to cook and bake but he needs a little help if you get my drift!...

Jessica said...

I love baking,but it would be nice to add this book to my collection. I love reading cookbooks and this one seems great!

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Lgelbart said...

I love baking but do not know many tips and tricks yet. Plus, I collect cookbooks, so I would love to learn something new and add to my collection at the same time!

Stephanie said...

yummy monster cookies!

Jimi Ripley said...

Who could resist the book, now that you introduced it via Chocolate Monster Cookies. One of my most-requested redcipes is what I call Texas-sized Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, so this book looks like a great way to expand on my baking repertoire.

Julie said...

If I were going to be attacked by a monster, I hope it would be a chocolate one. the cookies are drool worthy, so I'm sure everything in the book is divine :)

Darlene said...

I would like to win this cookbook because I am a good baker and I think anyone should take the opportunity to improve their skills. I also collect cookbooks.-- Whether that's a plus I'm not sure.

rkmillerales204 said...

I am a baker at heart, I honestly enjoy nothing more than baking. This cookbook (or bakebook really!) would be a great addition to my growing collection!

Those cookies look great, I love the spring colored M&M's!

:)
Rebecca Miller

Hungry Hungry House said...

I would love this, I am always interested in learning more tips for baking!

Lori said...

I love cookbooks and I love cookies! :)

KB said...

Because those cookies look so good I can only imagine what else is in there! Besides, if I win, you will save me from having to make up a story to tell my husband about WHY I have another cookbook. This way I can just say "I won it!" and he'll be fine with that. ;)

Donna said...

Would love to win - need new ideas and tips. Love to bake

Yvonne said...

Would love to try out a bunch of recipes from this book! I bet the cookie would be yummy with some health bar chips in them too!

Food Recipe Guide said...

These cookie has got to be just delicious; Great Recipes

Heather at Kitchen Concoctions said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! I love this chocolate version of 'monster cookies'. I think though that I would use peanut butter chips in place of the M&M's for a different depth of flavor.

Anonymous said...

I am in a baking RUT & as we have a full & busy house, need some fresh ideas to perk up lunches & special treats!! looks like a fabulous book...

LadyG (apf59{at}yahoo)

M.J.'s Cafe said...

Just want to say I love your blog and this cookbook will help make me a better baker.. I've tried several of your recipes and my family and coworkers LOVE Cherry Slice...

Kristi Collier said...

I would love this book because I love baking cookies, any cookies! And I'm always trying to find new amazing cookies books to try out their reciepes.

Melody said...

I have 3 kids and they love cookies, cupcakes, etc., but I cannot bake. I am a gourmet cook, but not a baker. This will help me make them the yummy treats they deserve. I was hoping to see a picture of mr. Handsome Hayden at the end of your post. Maybe, next time.

Amalie said...

I'd love to win!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog, though I am usually a quite reader. I have made many of your recipes. They are fabulous!! I enjoy baking and would love to have a new book.

Lee Ann S.

Heather said...

Just stumbled upon your blot today and have already planned dessert for a month-lol. I would LOVE to win this book because it will help to continue fueling my current need to bake,bake, bake :).

Andrea said...

These cookies look amazing!

I'm such a sucker for cookbooks! Especially ones that actually teach you skills that you can use everywhere.

Christina Judd said...

Girl meets boy.
Girl and boy get married.
Girl does not know how to cook!
Boy starts to lose weight, 
....and then more weight....
Oh my!
Girl goes to library to check out cookbooks.
Girl burns lots of meals.
Girl adds too much salt to potatoes.
Boy says everything tastes great even when girl messes up.
Girl sees cookbook giveaway.
Oh how delightful it would be for girl to learn more skills to feed her starving student of a boy delicious meals! 

LoriU said...

I would love to win this cookbook! I am a cookbook fanatic! Thanks for offering it!

Unknown said...

Oh those cookies look good! I love the cornflake addition!

Anonymous said...

You are a fabulous cook and all your recipes look divine! I had a question about your chocolate monster cookies, usually monster cookies have peanut butter in them, just making sure that didn't accidently get omitted from the recipe. I'm going to make these soon! Thank you!

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