Almost Instant Cookies for a Crowd

Occasionally, I am privileged to be asked to cater an event.  Often, these are "boxed lunch" type of caterings, with sandwiches, pasta salad, chips, pickles, desserts, and drinks.  I make homemade chicken salad, pimiento cheese, and egg salad, pasta salad, and dessert.  These are the cookies I make most often for these.  They work great for a large family, or a family of any size, and they're quick.

The key is to make the mix ahead of time, and keep it on hand (it doesn't require refrigeration).

My 8-year old made dessert last night :)

Looks yummy, huh?  They are!

So, the original recipe, and then my "healthier" version, that our family eats.

2 cups shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

4 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups chocolate chips

Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.  Mix the shortening and sugars until well incorporated.  Add in flour mixture and mix well.  Add chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.

When you are ready to make cookies, simply measure 4 cups of cookie mix, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Scoop cookies onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until done.

Simmons Family Instant Cookies

2 cups coconut oil

1 cup organic sugar

1 cup organic brown sugar

4 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup organic oats (not instant or quick-cooking)

2 cups 60% cacao chocolate chips

Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.  Mix the coconut oil and sugars until well incorporated.  Add in flour mixture and mix well.  Add oatmeal and chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.

When you are ready to make cookies, simply measure 4 cups of cookie mix, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Scoop cookies onto baking stone.  Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until done.

This recipe will make 10 cups of mix, meaning that you'll have an odd amount that last batch.  You can either make a new batch to add to it, or do as I do, and just throw the egg in with the vanilla and run with it anyway.   Each batch makes 22-24 cookies, using a 1 1/2 oz. cookie scoop (3 T.).  If your cookies are smaller, you'll have more per batch :)

Enjoy!