The first time my family encountered a Subway footlong cookie, it was during my son’s baseball tournament. After a long day of games, the team stopped for sandwiches, and the coach surprised everyone with a giant cookie. “That cookie was bigger than my face!” my son exclaimed, his eyes wide with the wonder that only an oversized dessert can inspire in a ten-year-old.
When his birthday approached the following month, I knew exactly what would make it special. “Could you make one of those giant cookies?” he asked hopefully. Challenge accepted! After some experimenting in our Kentucky kitchen, I created this homemade version that my children now request for every celebration.
My grandmother always said, “Food tastes better when it’s shared,” and this subway footlong cookie proves her wisdom. There’s something magical about slicing into this oversized treat that brings people together in a way individual cookies simply can’t match.
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Why You’ll Love This Subway Footlong Cookie
This homemade version of the famous sandwich shop treat has become our family’s celebration go-to for good reason. Here’s why you’ll want to make it part of your special occasions too:
- Impressive presentation: The dramatic size creates an instant “wow” factor
- Perfect for sharing: One cookie serves 10-12 people, ideal for gatherings
- Customizable canvas: Can be decorated for birthdays, holidays, or team celebrations
- Simple techniques: Uses familiar cookie methods, just scaled up
- Economical option: Much more affordable than bakery-ordered giant cookies
- Conversation starter: Sparks joy and creates a memorable dessert moment
While individual cookies are wonderful for everyday treats, this subway footlong cookie transforms dessert into an event. For more cookie inspiration beyond this giant version, visit our Cookie Creations: Family-Favorite Cookie Recipes collection.
If you’re looking for more conventional-sized cookies, our Chocolate Chip Cookies or Peanut Butter Cookies offer classic options in standard portions.
Simple Ingredients for Subway Footlong Cookie
Show Image Simple pantry ingredients scaled up create this impressive Subway footlong cookie – ready in just 15 minutes of prep time!
For this giant subway footlong cookie, you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (I use a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate)
- Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chopped nuts, M&Ms, or other mix-ins
My mother always said, “Quality matters most when there’s nowhere for ingredients to hide.” This cookie, with its simple ingredient list, showcases the flavor of your butter and vanilla, so use the best you can afford.
For an extra special presentation suitable for celebrations, consider pairing this cookie with our Special Occasion Desserts: Celebration Sweets collection for a dessert table that will delight guests of all ages.
Easy Step-by-Step Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325°F – slightly lower than standard cookies to ensure even baking for this larger treat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or use a specialized 12×5-inch cookie pan if you have one.
- Cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. My daughter loves this step, carefully monitoring the transformation from separate ingredients to a unified, creamy mixture.
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition. This gradual incorporation creates the perfect texture foundation for our giant cookie.
- Whisk dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) in a separate bowl. When my son helps with this recipe, he calls this “the cloud part” because of the puff of flour that inevitably rises above the bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing at this stage develops gluten, which makes cookies tough rather than tender.
- Fold in chocolate chips and any optional add-ins. My children always negotiate for “extra” chocolate chips, and I usually give in – after all, what’s a celebration cookie without generous chocolate?
- Shape the dough into a long rectangle approximately 12 inches long and 5 inches wide on your prepared baking sheet. I keep a clean ruler in my baking drawer specifically for this purpose, though my husband finds this amusingly precise.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly soft. Remember that the cookie will continue to cook from residual heat after removal from the oven.
- Cool completely on the baking sheet before attempting to move or slice. This takes patience but is essential – moving too early will result in a broken cookie, which defeats the impressive presentation we’re aiming for.
The entire process takes about 40 minutes, including baking time, making this subway footlong cookie a manageable project even for busy celebration days.
My Best Tips for a Perfect Subway Footlong Cookie
Through many birthday celebrations and team parties, I’ve refined my approach to this oversized treat:
For the perfect shape: Use the back of a spatula to gently press and shape the dough into a rectangle with a uniform thickness. My youngest calls this “cookie landscaping” as we carefully create an even terrain.
For party planning: This cookie can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. For the freshest taste, bake it the morning of your celebration rather than several days before.
For festive presentation: Use colored chocolate candies to write messages or create designs on top of the dough before baking. My daughter’s volleyball team cookie featured their jersey numbers in team colors.
For serving ease: Pre-slice the cookie into portions before your gathering. This prevents the inevitable crumbling that happens when guests try to break pieces off themselves.
For more creative cookie ideas, check our Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies or Strawberry Kiss Cookies for unique flavors in standard sizes.
Answers to Your Subway Footlong Cookie Questions
Q: Can I make this cookie ahead of time? Yes! Bake it up to a day in advance and store in an airtight container. You can also freeze the shaped raw dough and bake it from frozen (adding 3-4 minutes to the baking time).
Q: How do I store leftovers? On the rare occasion we have leftovers, wrap pieces in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I use cookie cutters to make a shaped giant cookie instead? Absolutely! The dough works well for shaped giant cookies too. Reduce baking time slightly (by about 2-3 minutes) for thinner shapes, and watch carefully for even browning.
For quick, no-bake treat options for your next gathering, explore our No-Bake & Quick Treats: Effortless Sweet Indulgences collection.
Subway Footlong Cookie: Creating Sweet Memories
There’s something about an oversized cookie that creates instant celebration energy. When I carry this giant cookie to the table, conversations pause and faces light up – regardless of the ages gathered.
My grandmother believed that recipes should be more than just instructions – they should be vehicles for connection. This subway footlong cookie embodies that philosophy perfectly. The simple act of slicing and sharing pieces becomes a moment of joy, of passing plates and passing time together.
When my son’s baseball coach saw our homemade version at the end-of-season party, he pulled me aside. “This is better than the original,” he whispered conspiratorially. While I can’t claim superiority over the famous sandwich shop version, I know our homemade cookie carries something theirs cannot – the love and memories baked into each giant batch.
I hope this subway footlong cookie brings as much joy to your celebrations as it has to ours. If you create your own version for a special occasion, I’d love to hear about your experience!
With warmth, Sophia
Homemade Subway Footlong Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate)
- 1/2 cup optional add-ins (chopped nuts, M&Ms, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and any optional add-ins.
- Shape the dough into a rectangle approximately 12 inches long and 5 inches wide on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly soft.
- Cool completely on the baking sheet before moving or slicing.