The Ultimate Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies Recipe That Kids Adore

Crafting these delightful monster cookies with soft and chewy textures will make you the ultimate dessert hero at any gathering.

Packed with colorful chocolate candies and chunks of goodness, they promise pure childhood nostalgia.

Each bite brings unexpected bursts of sweetness that dance across your palate.

Peanut butter and oats create a rich, comforting base that guarantees smile-inducing moments.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center, ensuring a perfect balance of textures.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these cookies invite playful snacking and joyful memories.

One batch might not be enough – so clear your afternoon and start mixing!

What’s So Great About Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies

Conquer Easy Baking Delight: Perfect for cookie lovers seeking a simple yet impressive treat!

• Unleash Kid-Friendly Cooking: Minimal steps and colorful M&Ms make this recipe super fun for children to help prepare, creating delightful family bonding moments.
• Master No-Fuss Preparation: Requires basic ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, ensuring even novice bakers can achieve delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Celebrate Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with chocolate chips and candies, these cookies work wonderfully for potlucks, school events, birthday parties, or casual weekend gatherings, guaranteeing smiles from everyone.
• Create Customizable Chocolate Explosion: Easily adaptable recipe allows swapping ingredients or adding personal touches like different chocolate types or nuts, making each batch uniquely yours.

Monster Cookies (Soft & Chewy) Ingredients

• Butter: Softens the cookie texture.
• Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and caramel notes.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together.

• Peanut Butter: Adds rich, creamy taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall flavor depth.

• Quick Oats: Gives chewy and hearty texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread.
• Salt: Balances overall sweetness.

• Mini M&Ms, Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds colorful bursts of chocolate flavor.

• Salt, Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Helps with cookie formation and prevents sticking.

Monster Cookies Preparation

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F. Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a large bowl, whip together white sugar, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This magical mixing creates the ultimate soft cookie texture.

Step 3: Blend in Wet Ingredients

• Peanut butter
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt

Stir everything until the mixture looks smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Incorporate Hearty Oats

Gently fold quick oats into the dough using a spatula. Make sure the oats are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Add Colorful Surprises

• Mini M&Ms
• Mini chocolate chips

Stir gently to keep the candies intact and prevent crushing.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon to drop dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet. The dough will be thick and sturdy.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Look for edges that turn a light golden brown color.

Step 8: Make Them Extra Spectacular

Right after removing from the oven, gently press a few extra mini M&Ms on top of each warm cookie. This adds a pop of color and makes them look irresistible.

Step 9: Cool and Savor

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to enjoy some seriously delicious treats!

Cookie Tips That Keep Monster Bites Chewy and Loaded

• Soften Butter Properly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, even mixing without overmixing.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Measure Oats Accurately: Use the scoop-and-level method for quick oats to ensure the right texture and prevent dry or crumbly cookies.
• Preserve Chewy Texture: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft and moist for several days.
• Swap Ingredients Wisely: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version, or use gluten-free oats for a gluten-sensitive diet.

Keeping Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Scoop unbaked cookie dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Keeps for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.
• Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe containers with wax paper separating layers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft texture.
• Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 275°F for 3-5 minutes. This restores soft, chewy texture and makes them taste freshly baked.

Great Matches for Monster Cookies

• Boost Cookie Enjoyment: Perfect Pairings
• Sip Cold Milk Contrast: Creamy, chilled milk balances the rich, sweet monster cookies perfectly. The cool liquid cuts through the dense, chewy texture and complements the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Strong, dark roast coffee provides a robust counterpoint to the sweet cookies. The bitter coffee notes enhance the cookie's sweetness and create a delightful taste experience.
• Serve Vanilla Gelato Sidekick: Smooth, creamy vanilla gelato offers a luxurious pairing that highlights the cookie's nutty and chocolatey elements. The cool, silky texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, chewy cookie.
• Enjoy Fresh Berry Sorbet: Light, tangy berry sorbet cleanses the palate between bites. Its bright, refreshing flavor provides a delightful balance to the rich, indulgent monster cookies.

Monster Cookie Texture Twists

• Gluten-Free Monster Cookies: Replace regular oats with certified gluten-free oats and use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Nutty Protein Boost: Swap half the peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter for added protein and unique nutty flavor profile.
• Vegan Monster Cookies: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, choose dairy-free chocolate chips, and select vegan M&M alternatives like UnReal brand plant-based candies.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute part of the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce overall sugar content, and use dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa percentage for less sweetness.

FAQs

• Why do these monster cookies use quick oats?

Quick oats help create a softer, chewier texture and bind the ingredients together better than old-fashioned oats. They also absorb moisture more efficiently, which contributes to the cookies’ signature soft consistency.

• Can I substitute the peanut butter with another nut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter as alternatives. Just ensure they have a similar consistency to peanut butter to maintain the recipe’s structure and flavor profile.

• How do I prevent my monster cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps solidify the butter and prevents excessive spreading. Also, ensure your butter isn’t too soft when mixing the dough.

• Are these monster cookies gluten-free?

These cookies are naturally gluten-free since they use oats instead of flour. However, always check that your oats and other ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Monster cookies pack a playful punch of peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms in one irresistible treat. Loaded with classic American comfort flavors, these cookies promise delightful indulgence you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 4 1/2 cups quick oats
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix-In Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup mini M&Ms (plus extra for topping)
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an optimal surface for cookie creation.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, rhythmically blend granulated and brown sugars with softened butter until the mixture achieves a cloud-like, aerated consistency that promises tender cookies.
3. Incorporate eggs sequentially, thoroughly integrating each before introducing the next, then fold in peanut butter, vanilla essence, baking soda, and salt, stirring until a harmonious batter emerges.
4. Gently introduce quick oats into the mixture, folding with a light touch to distribute evenly without deflating the delicate texture.
5. Tenderly fold mini M&Ms and miniature chocolate chips into the dough, maintaining the integrity of the candy pieces for vibrant bursts of color and flavor.
6. Utilizing a cookie scoop, deposit generous dollops of the robust dough onto the prepared baking sheet, embracing the dense nature of the mixture.
7. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for approximately 10 minutes until the edges acquire a golden, crisp hue.
8. Immediately upon removing from the oven, embellish the warm cookies with additional mini M&Ms, creating a playful and visually appealing finishing touch.
9. Allow the cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transition to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to reach the perfect balance of crisp exterior and chewy interior.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending and prevent tough cookies.
• Use creamy peanut butter for a more consistent texture and richer flavor, avoiding natural or separated varieties that might alter cookie consistency.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain thick, chewy cookie shape.
• Customize mix-ins by substituting M&Ms with other candies like Reese’s Pieces or chopped nuts for dietary preferences or exciting flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg