Giant Birthday Cookie

This is one of our family traditions. It started back when my son was little and I wanted something other than cake for his birthday dinner. We always have a big family party on the weekend nearest the birthday, then on the actual day, the birthday person gets to choose the menu (yes, the entire menu, which one time was just sausages and potatoes!).

I didn't want to do a cake all over again, so I found this recipe in our local newpaper, adjusted it a bit, and added the birthday greeting.

Now, no matter what, my kids look forward to this and I have to make it even if their actual birthday fell on the day of the big party...




You'll need sugar, flour, butter, salt and baking soda, and egg and vanilla as well as chocolate chips.

I didn't have any chips, so am using this bag of candy that has been in the freezer since Easter when I got some deals on dark chocolate. I will chop it in the food processor. This isn't my favorite thing to do because it takes longer (unwrapping all the little candies...) and the processor doesn't chop evenly- I end up with a lot of powder with the chopped chocolate.

But, hey, we're making do...




As you can tell, this is basically a chocolate chip cookie, but it's sized just right for a 10-inch springform pan. I grease it using some oil from my Mr. Misto sprayer and then spread it with a pastry brush. I like the new silicone brushes because I don't get any stray bristles on the pan like I used to.




Combine the sugars with the butter and mix until fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients and mix.

Now add the chocolate chips. See all the powder? It changes the consistency of the dough, which is why it's not my favorite thing, but it turned out OK.

Press into the prepared springform pan. I like to use both my flat hand and my knuckes to get it evenly spread. One trick I use is to wet my hands as I'm spreading. It really helps with sticking and I'm not adding oil to the top (I used to oil my hands).

Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely on a rack in the pan.

When cool, heat some chocolate chips or pieces of chocolate candy in a baggie in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Remove and squish around with your fingers and if not completely melted, microwave another 30 seconds, or until melted. Do not microwave too long.

Push all of the melted chocolate to the corner of the baggie and snip off a tiny portion of the corner.

Hold the baggie while twisting the top to push the chocolate out to write the birthday greeting on the cookie. I don't like to waste any chocolate (!), so if I have any left, I will just squiggle it all around the edge.

Serve in wedges with some ice cream, after singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles, of course!


Giant Birthday Cookie

• 1/2 c. (one stick) butter
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1-1/8 cup (2 TB=1/8 c.) flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 c. chocolate chips
• 2 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted, for decorating

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 10-inch springform pan.
2. Beat butter and sugars in the bowl of a mixer until well-blended.
3. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
4. Add dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Add the chips, mixing by hand if needed.
5. Using a wet hand and knuckles, spread the dough evenly in the pan.
6. Bake 18-20 minutes until golden.
7. Let cool on a rack. Run a knift around the edge and then release the sides of the pan.
8. Place on a platter. Melt the chocolate in a baggie in the microwave at 30-second intervals. Snip the corner and use to write a birthday greeting on the cookie.

For more recipe ideas visit Money Saving Mom's Baking Day.