Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe

If you’re craving a cookie that’s bursting with color, texture, and flavor, then you have to try this Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe. These cookies are the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter, hearty oats, and delightfully crunchy M&Ms, creating a chewy yet slightly crisp treat that kids and adults alike can’t get enough of. Each bite delivers a satisfying sweetness paired with a hint of saltiness, making these cookies a truly irresistible indulgence that quickly becomes a household favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward yet essential, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of rich peanut butter goodness, chewy oats, and colorful bursts of chocolate. Grab these pantry staples and you’re halfway to cookie paradise!

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and moisture, helping the cookies stay tender.
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient for that deep, nutty flavor and chewy texture.
• 3/4 cup brown sugar: Adds warmth and a hint of molasses, keeping the cookies soft.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the perfect cookie spread.
• 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and give the cookie structure.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a gentle aromatic touch.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a nice, tender crumb.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Accentuates the sweetness and deepens the peanut butter flavor.
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats: Adds wholesome chewiness and heartiness to every bite.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed to hold the cookies together.
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate that complement the peanut butter perfectly.
• 3/4 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces (like M&M’s): Adds crunch, vibrant color, and irresistible chocolatey pops.
• 1/4 cup mini peanut butter chips or chopped nuts (optional): For extra texture and a touch of crunch that’s up to you!

How to Make Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step ensures even baking and easy cleanup, setting the stage for perfect cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air for lighter cookies and blends the flavors beautifully.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. These ingredients enrich the dough and help create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 4: Mix in Baking Soda and Salt

Stir in the baking soda and salt evenly. These might be small amounts, but they work wonders for the cookie’s structure and flavor balance.

Step 5: Incorporate Oats and Flour

Gradually add the oats and flour, mixing until everything is fully combined. This is where the dough starts to come together with its hearty, chewy base.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolates and M&Ms

Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, and any optional add-ins like peanut butter chips or nuts. Resist the urge to overmix—you want these delightful chunks distributed without breaking.

Step 7: Scoop and Decorate

Use a tablespoon to scoop portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&M’s on top of each cookie for that picture-perfect, colorful look.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers remain soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so don’t wait until they’re fully hard in the oven.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This step helps the cookies set perfectly while retaining that chewy center everyone loves.

How to Serve Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe

Garnishes

To add a little extra flair, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over warm cookies right out of the oven to enhance the peanut butter flavor. A light drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate on top also gives them a gourmet touch that’s sure to impress.

Side Dishes

Pair your monster cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for the classic combo, or try them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. They also taste fantastic with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these cookies stacked high on a rustic wooden board, or arrange them alongside colorful bowls of extra M&Ms and peanut butter chips to invite guests to customize their snacks. You can even place them in decorative treat bags for gifting—they’re always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh and chewy for up to a week. Separating layers with parchment paper helps prevent them from sticking together and keeps the M&Ms bright and intact.

Freezing

Want to save some for later? You can freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

For that just-baked warmth, reheat cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave them for about 10 seconds. This revives the gooey centers and melty chocolate perfectly without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture to these monster cookies, making each bite even more interesting with little nutty bits throughout.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This particular recipe is not gluten-free due to the all-purpose flour, but you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend to make them safe for gluten sensitivities without sacrificing taste.

Can I add other mix-ins besides M&Ms?

Definitely! Feel free to customize with butterscotch chips, raisins, pretzel bits, or even white chocolate chips. The Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe is incredibly versatile and welcomes your creativity.

How do I get chewy cookies instead of crispy?

To keep your cookies chewy, slightly underbake them by removing them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look a bit soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that delightful chew.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make a vegan version, use plant-based butter and egg replacements like flax eggs or applesauce. Just keep in mind that textures may vary slightly, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

Final Thoughts

You truly can’t go wrong with the Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe. They bring together the best of comfort and fun in every bite, perfect for any occasion that calls for sweet, chewy, and colorful treats. I encourage you to dive into making these delightful cookies—you’ll be amazed at how quickly they disappear, and how often you’ll want to bake them again!

Monster Cookies with M&Ms and Peanut Butter Recipe

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Monster Cookies recipe is a deliciously chewy and colorful treat combining peanut butter, oats, and candy-coated chocolates. Perfect for those who love a classic cookie with a fun twist, these cookies offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures with creamy peanut butter, old-fashioned oats, mini chocolate chips, and vibrant M&M candies.

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Ingredients

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Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Add-ins

• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)
• 1/4 cup mini peanut butter chips or chopped nuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the two large eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
4. Mix in baking soda and salt: Stir in the baking soda and salt evenly throughout the wet mixture to help the cookies rise and balance flavor.
5. Incorporate oats and flour: Gradually add the old-fashioned oats and all-purpose flour to the bowl, mixing until all the dry ingredients are just incorporated, forming a cookie dough.
6. Fold in chocolate chips and candies: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolate pieces, and the optional peanut butter chips or chopped nuts into the dough for bursts of flavor and texture.
7. Scoop dough onto baking sheets: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, place portions of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Slightly press a few extra M&M’s on top of each dough ball for decoration.
8. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden while the centers remain slightly soft for chewy cookies.
9. Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Customize these cookies with your favorite mix-ins like butterscotch chips, raisins, or pretzel bits for unique flavors.
• You can freeze the cookie dough before baking or the baked cookies for convenient future treats.
• For chewier centers, slightly underbake the cookies by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American