And now, a monster who needs no introduction...

Please say hello to Cookie Monster. He’s been around a long time. This particular blue stuffy is nearly 40 years old. He’s survived the love of three different children and all the hugging and snuggling that comes with that much love. Including having his neck squeezed so often that all of his stuffing migrated to his butt. Don’t worry, Cookie Monster. After 40 years, stuffing migration happens to the best of us.

But it’s not just this Cookie Monster that has been around a long time. THE Cookie Monster has been around over 50 years. There are various starting points from which you could count the beginning of his existence. He was created by Jim Henson in 1966 for a snack food commercial in Canada (making him 57 years old). And debuted on Sesame Street in 1969 (54 years old). On Sesame Street, Cookie Monster’s birthday is November 2nd, but they’ve never identified an age or birth year for him. Maybe he really is ageless.

Regardless of his chronological age, Cookie Monster has matured and developed throughout his existence. The following is from the Sesame Street Guide, which gives a timeline describing his changes throughout the years.

Early years (1969-1970s): When Cookie Monster was first introduced on Sesame Street in 1969, he had a more gruff and aggressive personality. He would often demand cookies and growl when he didn't get them. He also had pointy teeth and a less fluffy appearance than he does today.

The Smithsonian mentions that he lost his teeth altogether before appearing on Sesame Street.

1980s-1990s: In the 1980s and 1990s, Cookie Monster's appearance became rounder and fluffier, with a softer, more childlike face. His personality also became less aggressive, and he was often portrayed as a more playful and innocent character.

2000s-2010s: In the 2000s and 2010s, Cookie Monster continued to evolve, becoming more of a lovable goofball than a cookie-obsessed monster. He was often shown singing and dancing, and his personality became even more childlike and innocent.

Today Cookie Monster continues to display that childlike wonder and he is still defined by his love of cookies. I can appreciate that. When I was a child and watched him “nom nom nom” his way through a plate of cookies, it used to drive me nuts that so many crumbs would go flying across the room and hardly any cookie went into his mouth. What a waste of cookies! Turns out some crumbs actually did make it in. The original Sesame Street muppet was designed so his hands were gloves for the performer to wear and there was a hole in his mouth where the crumbs would slide down into the performer’s sleeve. In addition, the cookies that this blue fuzzy monster ate were actually rice crackers. Because the oils from actual cookies would damage the muppet. No wonder that original muppet looks so good for being 50+ years old. 

But no. Despite the secret of Cookie Monster’s eternal youth being rice crackers and not cookies, I’m not making the switch. Just like Cookie Monster has learned, vegetables are important too, and cookies are a “sometimes” food. 

And that’s why today I’m baking just two cookies, not a whole plateful. Sorry, Cookie Monster. From what I remember seeing on Sesame Street, Cookie Monster always ate (and crumb sprayed) chocolate chip cookies. I don’t mind if my memory is inaccurate, that’s what we’re baking. And while Cookie Monster has his own Cookie Dough recipe, I have reduced a different classic...the chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the Nestlé Toll House Morsels bag. Specifically, the semi-sweet mini morsels. 

Now, on the bag, the recipe claims to make approximately 5 dozen cookies. With one bag of chocolate chips? Doubtful. So I’ve reduced the recipe to make four cookies, but then scoop and shape them to make two. This makes a reasonably sized cookie. Not too big, not too small. One for now, one for later, no leftovers. Perfect.

Here is the recipe and here is how I made it happen.

ingredients

18.1g all-purpose flour

0.32g baking soda

0.24g salt

15.1g soft butter

10g granulated sugar

10g brown sugar

0.31g vanilla

6.7g egg

19g mini chocolate chips

8.6g chopped nuts (optional)

directions

• Mix together flour, baking soda and salt

• In a second bowl, beat together until creamy butter, sugars and vanilla (I did this using a spoon by mushing and stirring until creamy.)

• Add egg to butter/sugar and thoroughly mix

• Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar/egg and mix until combined

• Stir in chocolate chips and chopped nuts

• Although not part of the directions, I always refrigerate my cookie dough for 20 minutes to 24ish hours.

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

• Divide the dough into two portions, roll into rounds, place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and press down slightly to flatten

• Bake 9-11 minutes, and let cool directly on the sheet for 2 more minutes. Remove to a rack to cool completely.

  Occasionally I get asked by people who are not bakers, but still read my newsletter (well, at least look at the pictures), what such small quantities look like. I hope this answers your question.

  

  Mise en place for two chocolate chip cookies. The whole egg is for scale.

  And what do you get when you put it all together? One very happy Cookie Monster.