Monster Cookies
When it comes to cookies, world beyond the classic chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, and it’s known as Monster Cookies! These huge treats are a favorite among kids and adults alike. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the wonderful world of monster cookies and share a fantastic recipe that’s bound to become a family favorite.
Before we jump into the monster cookie recipes, let’s break down what makes these cookies so special. Monster cookies are known for their colossal size, chewy texture, and a monster mash of ingredients with tons of room for creativity. Here’s a quick rundown of the key components:
- Peanut Butter Base: Monster cookies typically start with a creamy or crunchy peanut butter base, lending a rich and nutty flavor to the dough.
- Oats Galore: Both old fashioned oats and quick oats are used to give these cookies their signature chewy texture. The combination of the two provides the perfect balance.
- A Variety of Mix-ins: Monster cookies are a canvas for creativity. You can include a variety of mix-ins like chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, or even crushed Oreo cookies. The possibilities are endless- I love my Sweet & Salty Monster Cookies too which contain bits of pretzels & potato chips!
- Sweeteners: A mix of white and brown sugar are the sweeteners in this recipe making the cookies extra chewy!
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds to the flavor with a touch of vanilla goodness.
Ingredients needed for The Best Monster Cookie Recipe:
- Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Creamy peanut butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Instant Oats
- M&Ms
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (milk chocolate is also fine)
- Other mix ins optional and encouraged!
Supplies needed for the Best Monster Cookies:
- Baking Sheet lined with parchment paper
- Large Bowl
- Wire Rack for cooling
- Airtight container for storage
- Tablespoon cookie scoop
How to make Monster Cookies:
- Cream together the butter, sugars and peanut butter with an electric mixer until fluffy and creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla mix until just combined. Add the baking soda and mix into the wet ingredients on low speed.
- Fold in the oats and then the chocolate chips and M&Ms, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Using medium/large cookie scoop or spoon, place rounded balls of dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and press down slightly. Bake for 11-12 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 24-30 large cookies.
While this recipe is a tried-and-true favorite, don’t be afraid to get creative with your monster cookies. Experiment with different mix-ins, or even swap out peanut butter for almond butter if you prefer. Monster cookies are incredibly versatile, so feel free to make them your own.
FAQ:
Can I use natural peanut butter in these cookies?
Yes! Just make sure you have stirred it well first
Can I freeze these cookies before baking?
Yes. You can freeze the cookie dough balls and then bake them directly from the freezer. For best results, spread dough balls on a cookie sheet and pop into the freezer until they are fully frozen. Then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or other air-tight container. Bake like normal but you may need to add 2-3 minutes to the bake time.
Monster Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 cups of creamy peanut butter
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 4 1/2 c. quick oatmeal
- 1/2 c. M&Ms
- 1/2 c. chocolate chips
- Additional mix-ins like crushed pretzels, toffee bits, or coconut
Instructions
Cream together the butter, sugars and peanut butter with an electric mixer until fluffy and creamy.
Add the eggs and vanilla mix until just combined. Add the baking soda and mix.
Fold in the oats and then the chocolate chips and M&Ms.
Using medium/large cookie scoop or spoon, place rounded balls of dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and press down slightly. Bake for 11-12 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 24-30 large cookies.
Mmm big, chewy, goodness.
These totally remind me of Appleton, Wisconsin. Thanks for the trip down nostalgia lane!
I love monster cookies. My son was allergic to peanut butter but can now have it since he passed his peanut challenge test. Thanks for the wonderful idea. My husband is from Wisconsin and we love the Packers too. Happy wedding planning.
Yum! Monster cookies are some of my absolute favorites! I haven’t made them in a while…I think I might need to fix that problem!
Your pictures are making my mouth water. I don’t know what it is, but those cookies look fantastic! I think it’s really interesting how there isn’t any flour though? Hm! I pinned this recipe, can’t wait to try them!
The essence of baking and cooking are always exploring new challenges, and you’ve been doing an amazing job with that Audra! But you’re so right – sometimes you just gotta go back to basics. These monster cookies look so chewy and delicious! Great recipe. Have a nice weekend!
These are classic and perfect and a great alternative to the challenges that you have been taking on. They looks so chewy and moist. Love it!
I love baking M&Ms into cookies!
These look great, and if they last a week, I am all over them!
Yum! Peanut butter, M&M’s, chewy…heaven :)
Ohhh I loev soft & chewy cookies!! They’re the best! Plus you threw in the PB & M&MS sounds amazing!
Oh my! Lovely cookies, I’d probably inhale a batch. Sometimes simple is best :)
Right now, toddler is going through a phase… every time you ask her what her name is, she replies ‘cookie monster’! She would LOVE these :) Thanks for sharing!
I love monster cookies! Oats, peanut butter, M&Ms, what more could you want? These look like excelent monster cookies.
yum, yum and yum!
Oh yum. I love cookies where you can toss in so many options. I also love anything with peanut butter. These cookies look delicious. I am sure they would never last a week in my house.
I need on of those cookies right now, please…..
Hahaha no wonder they’re called Monster cookies :) It’s got so many ‘goodies’ in them! Bookmarking this!!! :D
I just made these and they came out great! I found the M&Ms sometimes got lost in the cookies, and I wanted to show the fun colors. Sticking 2-3 M&Ms on the top of the dough before baking did wonders for making sure they looked as good as they taste. Thanks for the great recipe!
Nom Nom Nom!
I co-worker of mine frequently brings these into the costume shop…they usually don’t last more than an hour!
Hey Audra – I love your site. This post reminded me of one thing– do you think you could ever reproduce the Leslie Jensen’s mom’s cookies from our musical days? I’ve tried numerous times and it’s been so long, I can barely remember the tastes that made them SO good. But they were a variation of a monster cookie, right? OR at least they were “monster” big, hey-oh. ;) Anyway just a thought… wish you the best! Katy O.
Good idea Katy- I LOVED those cookies. I think they were just huge fluffy sugar cookies with M&Ms. I should really try to figure them out. I’ll let you know if I do! :)
Mashed-up goodness that will really leave you wanting for more! I love this recipe and I hope that I can do this as perfect or as tasty as these photos looks like!
Yum! These cookies sound like such a delicious twist on oatmeal cookies :)
Monster cookies are the best. And yes the holiday M&Ms always get me in the mood.
Do you have to use quick oats or would regular work?
I made this for a Christmas party so my gluten-intolerant friend would have a festive treat. Trouble is, I ate as many as she did. OK , maybe more if you count the ones that weren’t good enough for company. And the dough.