Monster weekend

This Saturday we had two friends and their 9 year old come and visit to try out a game of Dungeons and Dragons. Knowing how long it would take us to set up characters and then play at least some of a campaign (or quest as we've decided to call it) we decided that we'd better prepare a pretty decent amount of filling food suitable for hacking and slaying.

So, the pizza production line went into action!



We know thought that pizza wouldn't be enough. What we needed was a desert fitting for a group of hungry adventurers to snack on throughout their quest. What could be more fitting than "monster" cookies! I had seen the recipe for these on a blog a while back and had been looking for an excuse to make them for ages. Saturday's D&D session seemed perfect.

So N duitifully raided Woolworth's on Thursday and got supplies (M&MS, fudge etc) and on Saturday morning I threw all the lovely colourful ingredients into a bowl, gave it a stir and had a bash at making Monster cookies. I had cut down the recipe by two thirds and so wasn't sure quite whether it would turn out alright. However, within minutes a lovely peanut buttery, chocolately, fudgy, oaty smell began to fill the flat. Mmm...




They turned out wonderfully. Crunchy on the outside due to the oaks and melted fudge and then slightly chewy on the inside because of the peanut butter, with the nice crunch and chocolatey goodness of M&Ms throughout. A great combination of flavours and textures. Definitely something I'll be making again, perhaps even this weekend! (It's Easter after all and so must be filled with treats!).

Definitely just the thing that was needed to keep us going during a tough battle against a bunch of testy Orcs.

Monster Cookies: (Adapted from Bake or Break)

This is a third of the original recipe and makes about 12 medium sized cookies.

1 egg
1.3oz brown sugar
2.1oz caster sugar
1/3 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 teaspoon maple syrup
1/3 teaspoon baking powder
1.3 oz butter
2.6 oz peanut butter
4.5oz oats
0,.9oz plain flour
1.5oz chocolate chips
1.5oz fudge chips
1.5oz M&Ms
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease/spray/line baking sheets.

Combine eggs, both sugars, vanilla, maple syrup and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter. Next add peanut butter, oats, and flour and mix thoroughly. Stir in the chips and M&Ms. Let the dough rest for about 30 minutes to allow the oats to absorb the butter.

Drop the dough onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow to cool on the trays while the fudge hardens up again (about five/ten minutes) then transfer to a wire rack until they are ready to eat (ie: however long you can hold out against their lovely smell!)