International cookie day

What a beautiful and absolutely tasty way to usher in the new month.

What started off as just an American tradition has spread rapidly over the years giving foodies globally an opportunity to indulge in this delicious baked treat.

Not only are they Santa and his elves favourite snack but also Cookie monster's and the whole world as well.

Friend now you can consider today a cheat day if you’re on a diet.

Or opt for vegan friendly, gluten free and less sugar ingredients as you prepare your treats.

But first, four Cookie facts;

The beauty of cookies is their versatility, you can have them soft or crunchy. Small or jumbo sized, with chocolates, nuts, white, oatmeal you name it.

1) In 1980, in The Sesame Street Dictionary, Cookie Monster declared “Me proclaim today National Cookie Day!” And that's how we were blessed with this treat day.

2) The English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekje," which means little cake.

Dutch bakers used to test oven temperatures on small amounts of batter so that they would not waste the entire cake mix if the temperature wasn't right.

It wasn't long before they discovered that these tiny pieces of cooked batter were actually quite tasty!

3) In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, they are called “biscuits.”

4) Chocolate chip cookies are the most famous cookies out of all the flavours.

To celebrate the day, here is cookie monsters famous cookie dough recipe.

Cookie Monster’s Famous Cookie Dough

1. Put 3/4 cup of butter or margarine (that’s a stick and a half) into your mixing bowl.
2. Measure 1 cup of sugar.
3. Pour sugar over butter.
4. With a fork, squash butter and sugar together until they are blended.
5. Crack shells of 2 eggs and pour eggs over mixture in bowl.
6. Measure 1 teaspoon vanilla and pour over mixture.
7. With fork, blend everything in the bowl together.
8. Measure 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and pour over mixture in bowl.
9. Measure 1 teaspoon baking powder and sprinkle over flour.
10. Measure 1 teaspoon salt and sprinkle over flour and baking powder.
11. Mix everything together either with the fork or with your hands.
12. Put dough in icebox to chill (at least one hour).

Follow these directions to use the dough to make alphabet cookies just like cookie monster:

Cookie Monster’s Alphabet Cookies

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F [200 C].
2. Put cloth on table. Sprinkle with flour.
3. Roll out dough (Famous Cookie Dough, see above), about 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick.
4. Cut dough into strips.
5. Use strips of dough to make your favourite letters.
6. Put cookie letters on none greased cookie sheet.
7. Now comes the hardest part of all… Put in oven and wait six to eight minutes.
8. Cookies are ready to enjoy now.

Make sure to have a cookie today and better yet share with loved ones or people near you. Spread some cheer.