Bake Kristen Bell’s Famous Everything Cookies: Your Guide to This Delicious & Versatile Recipe
Every year, as the Kentucky Derby approaches, my baking radar usually zeroes in on a classic: the Race Day Pie. It’s a delightful tradition, a rich, boozy dessert perfect for celebrating the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” This weekend was no exception, or so I thought. But then, as often happens in the culinary world, a new obsession swept me off my feet – or rather, into my kitchen. I got delightfully sidetracked by a celebrity recipe: Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies. She first shared this intriguing recipe on The Today Show way back in 2017. How I managed to miss it until now is a mystery, especially since I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of Kristen Bell’s reported culinary endeavors! (Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but I am certainly a fan of her and her infectious enthusiasm for food.)
Beyond her delightful personality and acting career, it turns out Kristen Bell is quite the talented baker. Her Everything Cookies offer a truly captivating blend of flavors, living up to their name by incorporating a delightful medley of ingredients. What’s more, they come with a fantastic bonus for those with dietary considerations: they are inherently gluten-free. Or not, if you prefer! The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, as you can achieve equally delicious results using either gluten-free flour or traditional all-purpose flour. This adaptability makes them a fantastic choice for any cookie lover.
Exploring Agave Syrup: A Sweet Twist
One ingredient that immediately caught my eye in Kristen Bell’s recipe was agave syrup. Remember when agave first burst onto the scene, marketed as a revolutionary “healthy” sweetener with a low glycemic index? It was hailed as a golden alternative to refined sugars. While subsequent research and popular opinion have certainly complicated that initial perception, I still have a soft spot for agave. Its unique, mild flavor profile and its remarkable ability to add moisture make it a valuable tool in the baker’s arsenal. For certain recipes, especially those aiming for a tender, soft texture, agave syrup is undeniably a great fit. In these “Everything Cookies,” it plays a crucial role, contributing to their wonderfully soft and chewy consistency – exactly what you want in a comforting cookie. It’s definitely worth keeping in your pantry for those special occasions when you want to achieve that perfect balance of sweetness and moisture.
You can find Kristen Bell’s original recipe, exactly as she shared it, through The Today Show link provided above. However, if you’re interested in my tweaked version, which I believe enhances the flavor and texture even further, you’ll find it detailed below. If you’re on the hunt for a similar “kitchen sink” style cookie but prefer a bit more crunch, I highly recommend checking out the Martha Bakes Giant Kitchen Sink Cookies. Those offer a more traditional take on the “Everything Cookie” concept and deliver a satisfyingly crisp bite.
My Personal Touches: Tweaks to Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies
While the original recipe for Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies is fantastic, I always enjoy experimenting and fine-tuning recipes to suit my preferences and baking style. Here are the specific adjustments I made to her original formulation, and why I believe these changes elevate the cookie experience:
- Flour Choice: The original recipe offers flexibility, suggesting either gluten-free or all-purpose flour, and even mentions coconut flour as an option. For my batch, I opted for Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. This blend is specifically designed to replace traditional wheat flour cup-for-cup, making it incredibly easy to use and reliably delivers excellent results in gluten-free baking. I’m a bit hesitant about coconut flour for cookies, as it tends to absorb a lot of moisture and can potentially lead to a drier, more crumbly cookie. If you’re adventurous enough to try it with coconut flour, please do let me know your results – I’d be curious to hear!
- Cinnamon Adjustment: The original recipe calls for a fairly generous amount of cinnamon. While I love cinnamon, I found that for an “everything” cookie with so many other interesting flavors, it could sometimes overpower them. To create a more balanced flavor profile, allowing the butterscotch, chocolate, and walnuts to shine, I decided to significantly cut back on the cinnamon. This allows for a subtle warmth without dominating the overall taste.
- Chip Harmony: Kristen Bell’s recipe includes both butterscotch and chocolate chips. To prevent the cookies from becoming overly sweet or having one type of chip overshadow the other, I slightly dialed back the quantities of both. This ensures a delightful burst of flavor in every bite without an overwhelming sugary punch, allowing for a more nuanced taste experience.
- Adding Walnuts for Texture and Balance: This was perhaps my favorite modification! The original recipe doesn’t include nuts, but I firmly believe that the addition of coarsely chopped walnuts brings so much to these cookies. Firstly, they introduce a fantastic textural contrast – a satisfying crunch that complements the soft chewiness of the cookie base. Secondly, their natural bitterness and earthiness help to cut through the sweetness of the chips and sugars, creating a more sophisticated and balanced flavor. Walnuts also add a touch of healthy fats and nutrients, making these indulgent treats feel a little more wholesome.
Recipe: Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies (Adapted)
Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (56 grams)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (56 grams)
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (100 grams)
- ¼ cup agave nectar (70 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (Original recipe used 1 ¼ teaspoons)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup gluten-free flour, Bob’s 1-1 (I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (ensure gluten-free if needed)
- ⅔ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ⅔ cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
Instructions
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Prepare Oven & Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
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Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, unsweetened applesauce, light brown sugar, agave nectar, vanilla extract, large egg, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Using an electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease), beat these ingredients together until they are well blended, creamy, and smooth.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the baking soda and white vinegar to the wet mixture and stir thoroughly. Next, gradually incorporate the gluten-free flour, mixing until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, stir in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coarsely chopped walnuts. Once everything is well distributed, let the cookie dough stand for approximately 10 minutes. This crucial step allows the oats to absorb some moisture, resulting in a more tender and chewy cookie.
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Scoop and Bake: Using a large cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons per scoop), drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading. A large scoop typically yields about 12-16 cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, a medium scoop will make approximately 24, but you may need to adjust baking time.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 to 14 minutes. The baking time can vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies; larger cookies or colder dough might require an extra minute or two. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up and prevents crumbling.
Tips for Baking Perfect Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies
Achieving the perfect batch of these “Everything Cookies” is simple, but a few key tips can elevate your baking experience:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, creating a smoother dough and a more even texture in your final cookies.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten (even in gluten-free flour to some extent, and certainly in all-purpose), which can lead to tough cookies.
- Let the Dough Rest: The 10-minute resting period is crucial, especially when using rolled oats. It allows the oats to absorb moisture from the dough, making the cookies softer and chewier, and preventing them from spreading too much.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats is essential. It prevents sticking, ensures even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Bake One Sheet at a Time: For best results and even baking, bake one tray of cookies at a time in the center of your oven. If you bake two sheets, they might not brown evenly.
- Know Your Oven: Oven temperatures can vary. If your cookies aren’t baking as expected, consider using an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s accuracy.
- Cooling Process: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking apart.
Why You’ll Love These Kristen Bell Everything Cookies
These cookies are more than just a celebrity recipe; they’re a truly satisfying treat with broad appeal. Here’s why they might just become a new favorite in your repertoire:
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The thoughtful combination of semisweet chocolate, buttery butterscotch, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and the earthy crunch of walnuts creates a symphony of flavors in every bite. They’re sweet but not cloyingly so.
- Incredible Texture: Thanks to the applesauce and agave, these cookies are wonderfully soft and chewy, with just the right amount of bite from the rolled oats and walnuts.
- Dietary Flexibility: The option to use either gluten-free or all-purpose flour makes them accessible to more people, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious homemade cookie.
- Simple to Make: Despite their sophisticated flavor profile, the recipe itself is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether you need a comforting snack, a lunchbox treat, or a dessert to share with friends, these “Everything Cookies” fit the bill perfectly.
In conclusion, while my initial plan was a Kentucky Derby-themed pie, Kristen Bell’s Everything Cookies proved to be a delightful detour. They are a testament to how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create something truly special. The adaptability, the intriguing use of agave, and the rich, complex flavors make these cookies a standout. I encourage you to whip up a batch and experience the joy of these celebrity-approved, wonderfully versatile cookies for yourself. Happy baking!