The secret to baking fast, affordable, and delicious cookies

We all want a little sweet treat sometimes. But maybe not from a packet. There’s nothing like freshly baked cookies to really put a sweet little smile on your face. 

Giant classic choc chip

We love a choc chip cookie. But this time, make it giant, ready in just ten minutes and cooked in the air fryer.

Ingredients: 

• 40g butter, softened
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• ¾ cup self-raising flour
• ⅓ cup choc chips

Method: 

1. Mix together the softened butter and brown sugar until well combined (I get the kids to use their fingers).
2. Mix in the flour and milk to make a soft dough, then fold in the chocolate chips last, reserving some. 
3. Roll the dough into a large, thick disc and place it into a lined air fryer basket, adding the reserved choc chips to the top. Bake at 180C for 10 minutes. Allow to cool a little before moving. 

Traditional ANZAC

No matter if you prefer it crunchy or chewy, an ANZAC biscuit recipe is a treasure in lots of homes.

This recipe can be chewy or crispy just depending on how long you leave it in the oven. The trick is the dark brown sugar. It’s a game-changer. 

Jane’s dark brown sugar ANZAC biscuits ingredients:

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ½ - ¾ cup desiccated coconut

• 125g butter
• 3 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ teaspoon bicarb soda

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and line 2 x oven trays with baking paper.
2. Combine your dry ingredients - except for bicarb - in a large bowl.
3. In a small saucepan, melt your butter, golden syrup and water together in a small saucepan on medium heat. Add the bicarb, mix it through and watch it froth up.
4. Pour the golden syrup/butter mixture into your dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Use a small scoop or roll balls about 2 Tbsp of the dough and place them on a baking paper lined tray - make sure you leave plenty of room between each ball to allow for spreading. Flatten the balls slightly with your hand or a spoon.
6. Bake at 180°C for 10 minutes for soft, chewy biscuits, or 12–15 minutes for crispy crunchy ones.

2-ingredient Nutella cookies:

Yes, just two ingredients and so quick you’ll hardly believe it. This one went viral for a reason. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp Nutella
• ½ cup plain flour
• Icing sugar - optional garnish

Method: 

1. Preheat oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. In a bowl combine the Nutella and flour, mixing thoroughly to make a stiff dough that isn’t too sticky. 
3. Roll tablespoons of dough in balls and place on baking tray with plenty of space between them and use the bottom of a glass to flatten the balls into thick discs.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops are just beginning to show cracks. 
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Sprinkle with optional icing sugar or dip in melted chocolate to serve. 

What to do with pre-made cookie dough

Store bought cookie dough and packet mixes can be so much fun. They take a lot of the pressure off, and you can be as creative as you like.  

• With a pre-made dough: try cutting discs, pressing them into a mini muffin tin and baking cookie cups to fill with caramel or melted marshmallow.
• With box mix cookies, don't forget that you can always add extra sprinkles, nuts, and other mix-ins to make them unique and epic. 

Jane de Graaff is Today’s kitchen expert, food writer and recipe developer and content creator for fun family recipes of all kinds.

Find all Jane’s food adventures, tricks and tips on Instagramand TikTok.