Ultimate Soft & Chewy Monster Cookies: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Delights with M&M’s & Chocolate Chips
Prepare yourself for a truly irresistible treat: monster cookies that are wonderfully soft, incredibly chewy, perfectly thick, and astonishingly easy to bake. These delightful peanut butter oatmeal cookies are generously loaded with colorful M&M’s and rich chocolate chips, making every bite a burst of flavor and texture. If you’re searching for a cookie that combines all your favorite elements into one harmonious package, look no further – these are the monster cookies of your dreams!
What Exactly Are Monster Cookies?
Step into the world of one of the most beloved cookie creations: the monster cookie! If you’ve never experienced the pure joy of a monster cookie, then you are in for a serious treat. These cookies are a celebration of indulgence, famously jam-packed with an abundance of delicious goodies. Imagine the best parts of a peanut butter cookie, an oatmeal cookie, and a chocolate chip cookie, all harmoniously blended into one gloriously oversized, chewy masterpiece. It’s truly a trifecta of classic cookie flavors!
Originally shared in September of 2017, this particular recipe has stood the test of time, remaining as incredibly delicious as ever. However, we’ve recently given this post a comprehensive update, incorporating more detailed step-by-step pictures, enhanced information, and clearer instructions. Our goal is to ensure that even novice bakers can effortlessly whip up a perfect batch of these iconic cookies, experiencing success from the very first try.
Bonus: One of the absolute best features of this recipe is that you don’t even have to chill the cookie dough! This means instant gratification is just around the corner. You can go from craving soft, warm cookies to enjoying them fresh out of the oven in approximately 30 minutes. Forget the waiting game; these monster cookies deliver deliciousness fast!
At its core, a monster cookie is a substantial peanut butter oatmeal cookie generously studded with an array of mix-ins, most notably vibrant M&M’s and classic chocolate chips. The “monster” in their name often refers to their impressively large size and the sheer volume of delicious ingredients crammed into each cookie. They offer a unique blend of flavors and textures – the richness of peanut butter, the hearty chewiness of oats, the melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of chocolate, and the delightful candy crunch of M&M’s. It’s an explosion of taste in every single bite.
While the classic combination is undeniably fantastic, the beauty of monster cookies lies in their versatility. You can easily customize them by swapping out ingredients like milk chocolate chips or even Reese’s Pieces for the M&M’s. No matter how you choose to personalize them, these cookies consistently rank among the most delicious and satisfying recipes you’ll ever encounter. They’re perfect for bake sales, parties, or simply a cozy night in.
Essential Recipe Ingredients for Perfect Monster Cookies
To create these incredibly soft, chewy, and loaded peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip M&M’s cookies, often affectionately called “monster cookies,” you’ll need a selection of high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving their signature taste and texture. Get ready to say “yum” as we dive into what makes these cookies so special:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of almost any excellent cookie recipe, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. For the best results and to prevent dense or crumbly cookies, it’s crucial to measure your flour correctly. Always spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. This technique prevents over-packing, which can lead to dry, heavy cookies.
- Baking Soda & Salt: These two unassuming ingredients are powerhouses in the cookie-making process. The baking soda acts as a leavening agent, creating a chemical reaction that helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve their soft, puffy texture. Meanwhile, salt is indispensable; it doesn’t just balance out the sweetness from the sugars and candies, but also enhances all the other flavors, making the peanut butter and chocolate notes truly pop.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For that signature chewy texture that defines a great monster cookie, I strongly recommend sticking with old-fashioned rolled oats. Their thicker, heartier structure contributes significantly to the cookie’s chewiness and provides a satisfying substance. While quick oats could be used in a pinch, be aware that they are processed thinner and will result in a less chewy, slightly softer cookie.
- Unsalted Butter: As with most baking, unsalted butter is preferred. Using unsalted butter allows you precise control over the total amount of salt in your cookies, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. It’s also essential that your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming with the sugars, which is critical for creating a light and airy cookie dough.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The magic often lies in the blend! I love to use a combination of both brown and granulated sugars in my cookie recipes. Brown sugar is key for adding deep, molasses-rich flavor and incredible moisture, which directly contributes to the cookies’ soft and chewy interior. Granulated sugar, on the other hand, helps with spread and provides a slightly crisper edge. Together, they create a beautifully balanced sweetness and texture.
- Peanut Butter: This is a monster cookie essential! For the best consistency and to prevent your cookies from spreading too much or becoming greasy, it’s best to use a thicker, “no-stir” creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters (especially those where the oil separates) have a different fat and sugar content and can significantly alter the cookie’s texture, making them more prone to spreading and greasiness.
- Egg & Pure Vanilla Extract: This recipe calls for just one large egg, but it plays a crucial role. The egg acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together and adding richness and structure to the dough. Using a room temperature egg also helps it incorporate more smoothly into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Pure vanilla extract is equally important, elevating the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes, making the cookies taste even more homemade and delicious.
- M&M’s and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Here’s where the “monster” truly comes to life! The combination of colorful M&M’s and classic semi-sweet chocolate chips adds both visual appeal and a delightful variety of textures and sweetness. The M&M’s offer a slight candy shell crunch and vibrant colors, while the chocolate chips melt into gooey pockets of rich chocolate. Feel free to unleash your creativity here: easily switch up the flavor by using dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips, different kinds of M&M’s (peanut, pretzel, caramel), butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or even adding chopped nuts for extra crunch.
How To Make Irresistible Monster Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting these phenomenal monster cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process, even for beginners. Follow these steps to achieve perfectly soft, chewy, and flavor-packed results every time:
First, begin by preparing your dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for consistent cookie texture and rise. Once these are combined, gently stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats until they are fully incorporated. Set this mixture aside.
Next, move on to the wet ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a large mixing bowl and a handheld electric mixer), cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat this mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it becomes light, fluffy, and well combined. This creaming process incorporates air into the butter and sugar, which contributes significantly to the cookies’ light and tender texture. Once the butter and sugars are perfectly creamed, mix in the creamy peanut butter, the room temperature egg, and the pure vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is fully combined and smooth. Remember to pause occasionally and scrape down the sides of your bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and no dry spots are left behind.
Once your wet and dry mixtures are ready, it’s time to bring them together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overworking the dough can lead to tougher cookies. As soon as the flour streaks disappear, stop mixing. Finally, add your M&M’s and chocolate chips. Gently fold them into the cookie dough using a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout. This gentle approach prevents crushing the candies and keeps the dough from becoming too dense.
Now, your dough is ready for baking! You can scoop the cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats right away, or you can refrigerate or freeze the dough for later use. I highly recommend using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop. This handy tool ensures that each cookie is uniformly sized, which is key for even baking and a consistent final product. Arrange the scooped dough balls on the baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading. Bake as directed and get ready to enjoy your homemade monster cookies in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About Monster Cookies
How do you make these cookies incredibly soft and chewy?
Achieving that coveted soft and chewy texture in your oatmeal M&M’s cookies primarily hinges on avoiding overbaking. The key is to remove them from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft and even a little underdone. Don’t worry, this is intentional! The residual heat from the hot baking sheet will continue to cook the cookies as they cool, firming them up to perfection without drying them out. Overbaking is the quickest way to end up with hard, dry cookies. Trust the process and pull them out early!
Pro Tip: To maintain their amazing softness for days after baking, store your cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The moisture from the bread helps keep the cookies tender and fresh!
Can you freeze monster cookies or cookie dough?
Absolutely! Monster cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, whether you prefer to freeze the raw cookie dough or the baked cookies. You can scoop balls of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes compared to the fresh dough – no need to thaw! For baked peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, ensure they have cooled completely to room temperature before freezing them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them on the counter at room temperature before serving.
How can you tell when the monster cookies are perfectly done?
Knowing when your monster cookies are just right is crucial for their soft and chewy texture. You’ll know they are done when the edges appear set and have a light golden brown hue, while the tops of the cookies look slightly puffy and no longer glossy or doughy. As mentioned, the centers might still look a bit soft, but this is exactly what you want! In my experience, baking these cookies at 350°F (177°C) for approximately 10 to 11 minutes yields the perfect balance of set edges and a delightfully soft, chewy interior. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
Pro Baking Tips for Monster Cookie Success
Mastering these monster cookies is simple with a few key techniques. Here are some essential baking tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and full of flavor every single time:
- Measure Flour Accurately: This is arguably one of the most important tips for any baking project. Always spoon your all-purpose flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour in your recipe, resulting in dry, dense, and crumbly cookies.
- Choose the Right Peanut Butter: The type of peanut butter you use significantly impacts the final texture of these cookies. Natural peanut butter, where the oil often separates, tends to have a thinner consistency and can cause your cookies to spread excessively and turn out greasy. For the best results – thick, soft, and perfectly chewy cookies – I highly recommend sticking with a thicker, “no-stir” creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy.
- Opt for Old-Fashioned Oats: While quick oats might seem convenient, old-fashioned rolled oats are non-negotiable for achieving that wonderfully chewy texture. Their larger, thicker flakes retain more bite and contribute to the hearty, satisfying mouthfeel that defines a true oatmeal cookie. Quick oats, being more finely processed, will result in a softer cookie with less chew.
- Embrace Customization: One of the most fun aspects of monster cookies is their adaptability! Feel completely free to swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for your favorite chocolate variety – dark chocolate for a richer flavor, or milk chocolate for extra sweetness. Similarly, the M&M’s can be replaced with Reese’s Pieces for a more pronounced peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination, or any other candy-coated chocolate you love. Get creative and make them your own!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating an airy base, while a room temperature egg incorporates more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more uniform dough.
More Classic Cookie Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings!
If you’ve fallen in love with these monster cookies and are eager to explore more timeless cookie delights, you’re in luck! Here are some other classic cookie recipes that are sure to become new favorites in your baking repertoire, each offering its own unique charm and deliciousness:
- Soft & Chewy Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
- Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Irresistibly Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Classic Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles
- Effortless Classic No-Bake Cookies
Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies
Pin Recipe
SaveSaved!
Leave a Review
Ingredients
- 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour , spooned & leveled
- 1 1/4 cups (125 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter , softened
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) brown sugar , lightly packed
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (125 grams) creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) M&M’s
- 1/2 cup (95 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Set them aside.
-
In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial for distributing the leavening agents evenly. Set this dry mixture aside.
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a large mixing bowl and a handheld mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Next, add the creamy peanut butter, room temperature egg, and pure vanilla extract. Continue mixing until all ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth. Periodically stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.
-
Gradually add the reserved dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain. Then, gently fold in the M&M’s and chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
-
Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop (or two spoons), portion out uniform balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave ample space between each dough ball, as the cookies will spread during baking.
-
Bake the cookies in separate batches in your preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops appear set, though the centers may still look slightly soft. Immediately remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5-10 minutes. This allows them to set up properly from residual heat. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Egg: To get your egg to room temperature quickly, place it in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes before use.
Storage Instructions: Store baked and completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and softness.
Freezing Instructions (Dough): To freeze cookie dough, scoop balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for several hours or until the cookie dough is completely solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Cookie dough balls may be baked directly from frozen for an additional 1-2 minutes beyond the specified baking time.
Freezing Instructions (Baked Cookies): Baked monster cookies also freeze exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Once thoroughly cooled, store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. To serve, simply thaw them to room temperature on the counter.