Green Monster Cookies

My parents flew in from Des Moines this weekend to visit us for Mother’s Day! We visited the aquarium and the longest continuous running restaurant in the US, the Union Oyster House, and also watched a Red Sox game and toured the Sam Adams Brewery (which my hubby loudly proclaimed was much more fun than going to a museum…yep, you get free beer!). On Sunday, I made a simple Mother’s Day brunch before they left. The weekend just flew by and I already miss them!

My dad is a baseball nut and loved checking out such a historic stadium. Even though the guys had sore knees by the end of the game due to the tight seating (my mom is the baby of the group at 5’10”), we all enjoyed the game. The Red Sox were trailing by three runs until the sixth inning when they scored two home runs and brought five people home. One of the homers sailed over the Green Monster, which is the nickname of the super high left field wall at Fenway that prevents many home runs. Of course, when I think Monster, I think Monster Cookies! I really wanted to create a fun Green Monster Cookie, and although my cookies didn’t turn out bright green, they were quite tasty!

I’ve always imagined that Monster Cookies were born when someone whipped up a batch of cookies with whatever ingredients they could find in the pantry that day. I followed this strategy by poking through my cupboards last night and looking for ingredients to use. I ground up some almonds and green tea, and then mixed in coconut and oats. I was a little disappointed the green tea didn’t tint the cookies green, but the layers of flavor were wonderful and I love the playfulness of the green M&Ms on top!

Green Monster Cookies
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup almonds
2 tablespoons green tea
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup green M&Ms

Directions:
Heat oven to 350˚F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch square pan. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar; mix in egg and vanilla.

Pulse almonds and green tea in a food processor until ground. Stir ground almonds and green tea, flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and coconut into the wet ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread dough in bottom of the greased pan. Sprinkle M&Ms evenly on top and press lightly into the dough. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until set. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Makes 16 servings.

Nutrition: 186 calories, 10.6g fat, 2.0g fiber, 2.8g protein per serving
Cost: $3.45 total