Here are a few of my other favorite cookie recipes: Madeleine Cookies, Alfajores, Sparkling Shortbread Cookies and Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. The first time I ate a monster cookie was the summer of 1979. I was a kid and it was the dog days of summer. Since it was an extremely hot Texas summer afternoon, me and some neighborhood friends wanted to do something inside for a while, so we decided to make cookies. It was my neighbor’s recipe, and I didn’t know what a monster cookie was, so I was excited to make them. We started putting the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, you know, all the normal stuff for cookies, flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. When we added the peanut butter, I knew then it was going to be a version of a peanut butter cookie. Then we added seven cups of uncooked oats, which almost sounded healthy. But the last two ingredients were semi-sweet chocolate chips and M&M’s chocolate candies. I knew then, this was going to be the best cookie ever!  After tasting these, I think you will agree too!

How to Make Monster Cookies

This is an easy monster cookie recipe, with no need to chill the cookie dough. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, following the instructions in the recipe card below. Make large cookie dough balls and pat them out into rounds that are about 3 ½ inches in diameter and ½ inch tall. Place them on a baking sheet with space around them to grow. You should only put 6 per baking sheet. For the 60 minute cook time, you will need to cook 2 baking sheets at a time and have 2 more baking sheets to be ready to go with the next set. Add a few of the saved M&M’s to the top of the cookies to make them pretty. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown around the edges. Make sure that you do not over bake them. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheets. Transfer the baked cookies to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers of cookies to keep them from sticking together. You can use different colored M&M’s for any occasion, like holidays, graduations, etc. Here are a few ideas.

Spring Monster Cookies

Halloween Monster Cookies

Christmas Monster Cookies

Fourth of July Monster Cookies

Needless to say, this recipe for Monster Cookies has been in my recipe box for a long time. My three grown children still enjoy making and eating them. It is in all their recipe collections as well. They’re big cookies and I know they’ve been used in my family as: a meal replacement, snacks for hikes, energy boost eaten on the way to basketball practice, grab and go monster cookie breakfast bar. I hope you enjoy them too!

Variations

This recipe is versatile and lends itself to numerous variations. Here are some ideas: Different Add-ins: You can experiment with various mix-ins such as different types of chocolate chips, dark, milk or white chocolate chips, nuts (like chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds), dried fruit (like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots), butterscotch chips, or even shredded coconut. Nut-Free Variation: If you’re dealing with nut allergies, you can substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or any other seed butter. Oat-Free Variation: If you want to make the cookies without oats, you can replace them with an equivalent amount of flour or almond meal. Note that this will alter the texture of the cookies. Spice It Up: You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a mix of spices (like a pumpkin pie spice mix) to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor. Holiday Variations: Adjust the colors of the M&M candies or use holiday-themed chocolate candies for different occasions or holidays, like red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter. Sandwich Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, you could spread a layer of frosting, Nutella, or peanut butter on the bottom of one cookie and then sandwich it with another. This would effectively double the size of your cookies, and they would indeed be ‘monster’ cookies! Remember to adjust cooking times as necessary when making variations, as changes in ingredients can affect how quickly the cookies bake. Enjoy experimenting with the recipe!

Dietary Variations

Here are some modifications you can make to this recipe to suit various dietary needs:

Gluten-Free

The primary sources of gluten in this recipe are the flour and possibly the oats. To make these cookies gluten-free:

Dairy-Free

The dairy in this recipe comes from the butter and the M&M’s. To make the recipe dairy-free:

Vegetarian

The original recipe is vegetarian.

Vegan

To make the recipe vegan, you need to replace the eggs, butter, and M&M’s, as they all contain animal products. Here are the substitutes: Please note, these substitutions can affect the texture and taste of the cookies, and the cooking times may vary. You might need to do some testing to get the desired results with these alternative ingredients. Also, always check the labels of your ingredients to make sure they meet your dietary needs.

Storage Info

This Monster Cookies recipes makes a lot of cookies, so you can freeze some for later too, check out the instructions below.

Storing on the Counter

These Monster Cookies should last up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to stack the cookies, use a sheet of wax paper in between each layer to prevent sticking. However, they’ll maintain their optimal freshness within the first three days after baking. It’s always a good idea to enjoy them as soon as possible after baking for the best texture and taste!

Storing in the Refrigerator

Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container. While it’s not necessary to refrigerate the cookies, doing so may help them keep a bit longer. They can last up to a week in the refrigerator.

Freezing the Leftovers

Monster Cookies freeze really well! To freeze the cookies, ensure they are fully cooled first. Wrap them in plastic wrap and then put them into a freezer bag or an airtight container. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible from the freezer bag before sealing it. Frozen cookies can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Thawing Frozen Leftovers

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen Monster Cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the temperature of your room. For a slightly warm cookie, you can also reheat them in the oven at a low temperature (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 5-10 minutes, or until they’re warmed to your preference. It’s always best to enjoy your cookies within a few days of baking for the best flavor and texture. But if you can’t finish them all, freezing is a great way to make sure none of these delicious treats go to waste!

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