world peace, one cookie at a time

If only we really could change the world through baking. These are the cookies to make if you know someone who is sad, or broken-hearted, or – heaven forbid – mad at you. They are sure to make things just a little bit better.

This (really easy) recipe makes about 30 cookies – so you can make 29 other people happy. How about handing them out on the Northern line in rush hour…?

World Peace Cookies

2 cups plain flour
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
170g butter, melted
1 cup soft brown sugar
0.5 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg + 1 extra yolk
400g dark chocolate Toblerone* (the one in the black packaging), chopped

Preheat oven to 165ºC and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. In another bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar with electric beaters until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until light and creamy. Fold in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the Toblerone chunks with a wooden spoon.

I find that the dough benefits from half an hour or so in the fridge at this point – it means that the cookies hold their shape better when baked – but it’s not absolutely necessary, and don’t do it if you prefer thin, crisp cookies.

The one on the right is from dough that was refrigerated. See the difference?

Put tablespoonfuls of the dough about 5cm apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Go forth and spread the love.

*Does anyone know why you can ALWAYS buy Toblerone in airports??

‘Make Cakes Not War’ cartoon by Judy Horacek