Monster Cookies Recipe

Soft & Chewy Monster Cookies Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Mouthwatering monster cookies with their colorful chocolate chips have been my weekend baking obsession lately.

Some kitchens buzz with special magic when these treats come together.

Childhood memories flood back with each batch of sweet, chewy goodness.

Packed with peanut butter, oats, and playful M&Ms, these cookies promise total deliciousness.

Big and bold, they capture pure snacking joy in every bite.

The recipe feels like a delightful baking adventure you cannot resist.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread across hungry faces.

Monster Cookies That Bring It All Together

  • Engaging recipe perfect for family bonding, allowing children to help mix colorful M&Ms and chocolate chips into the dough.
  • Packed with chocolate chips, M&Ms, and oats, these cookies are ideal for potlucks, school events, and casual gatherings where everyone craves a sweet indulgence.
  • Simple one-bowl mixing method and straightforward instructions make this recipe accessible for bakers of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.

Everything That Goes Into Monster Cookies

Fats and Sweeteners:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie caramelization.
  • Peanut Butter: Brings nutty flavor and contributes to cookie's moisture.
Proteins and Binding:
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.
Dry Ingredients and Mix-Ins:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's basic structure and provides foundation.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
  • Rolled Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty undertone.
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides melty chocolate pockets throughout cookie.
  • M&Ms: Adds colorful crunch and additional chocolate sweetness.

How to Bake Monster Cookies with the Perfect Chew

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, cream together:
  • Softened butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar

Beat until light and fluffy for 2-3 minutes. Add peanut butter and mix well. Incorporate eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Gradually add the dry mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 4: Fold in Mix-Ins

Gently stir in:
  • Oats
  • Chocolate chips
  • M&Ms

Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dough

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop generous portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies about 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Bake Cookies

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and set centers. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft, chewy texture.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with milk or your preferred beverage.

Tips for Even Baking in Monster Cookies

  • Customize Cookie Texture: Adjust baking time by 1-2 minutes for softer or crispier cookies depending on your preference.
  • Prevent Spreading Tricks: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce cookie spread and maintain thicker shape.
  • Maximize Mix-in Flavor: Experiment with different chocolate chips, nuts, or candy varieties to create unique flavor combinations.
  • Substitute Smartly: Replace peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free versions that taste equally delicious.
  • Store for Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Store and Enjoy Monster Cookies Later

  • Store cooled monster cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
  • Keep cookies at room temperature in a sealed container to maintain their soft and chewy texture. Consume within 3-4 days for best taste.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their just-baked warmth and softness.

What Pairs with Monster Cookies for Snacking

  • Classic whole milk complements the rich, sweet flavors of these chunky cookies, creating a smooth and indulgent taste experience.
  • Blend creamy vanilla ice cream with milk to create a decadent drink that matches the cookie's sweet and nutty profile, enhancing the overall dessert enjoyment.
  • Brew a medium-roast coffee to contrast the cookie's sweetness, with the coffee's slight bitterness balancing the chocolate and peanut butter notes perfectly.
  • Opt for chocolate almond milk to complement the M&Ms and chocolate chips, adding an extra layer of chocolatey richness to your cookie snacking moment.

Variations to Mix Into Monster Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Monster Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use certified gluten-free oats to ensure zero cross-contamination.
  • Vegan Monster Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, replace chocolate chips with dairy-free chocolate chunks. Select vegan peanut butter to maintain recipe integrity.
  • Low-Sugar Monster Cookies: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce chocolate chips and use dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage for lower sugar content.
  • Nut-Free Monster Cookies: Remove peanut butter and replace with sunflower seed butter. Omit M&Ms and use dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for texture and sweetness.
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Monster Cookies Recipe

Monster Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Monster cookies pack a playful punch of chocolate chips, peanut butter, and oats in one irresistible treat. Packed with nostalgic flavors and childhood joy, you’ll find these cookies impossible to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Mix-In Ingredients:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup M&Ms (plus extra for topping, if desired)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350F (175C) and positioning two baking sheets with protective parchment or silicone mats.
  2. Create a creamy base by vigorously whisking softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate peanut butter into the sugar mixture, blending thoroughly until smooth and consistent.
  4. Introduce eggs individually, mixing each completely before adding the next, then fold in vanilla extract to enhance the aromatic profile.
  5. In a separate vessel, gently combine flour, baking soda, and salt through a delicate whisking motion.
  6. Gradually merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet components, stirring minimally to prevent overdeveloping gluten and maintain cookie tenderness.
  7. Fold oats, chocolate chips, and colorful M&Ms into the dough, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
  8. Utilize a cookie scoop to portion generous dollops of dough onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches between each cookie.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and slightly soft centers, which indicate perfect doneness.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a cooling rack, enabling complete temperature reduction before serving.

Notes

  • Customize your cookie size by adjusting the scoop, creating mini treats or larger indulgent versions for different preferences.
  • Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for allergen-friendly alternatives that maintain the rich, creamy texture.
  • Experiment with mix-ins like dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations that surprise and delight.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain soft, chewy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 95 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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