The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

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posted by Christy Denneyon Jan 21, 2023 (updated Dec 21, 2023) 76 comments »

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Monster Cookies are soft andfilled with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. After searching for the best recipe and not finding one, I came up with these easy chewy cookies my own! These are perfect!

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (1)

MONSTER COOKIE RECIPE

I’m a huge fan of all things Monster. Monster Cookie Dough Dip and Monster Magic Cookie Bars are a couple of my favorites. I’ve noticed at every bake sale I’ve been to, fresh-baked cookies with M&M candies always go first.

I’ve been craving Monster Cookies for a while but after browsing Pinterest for Monster Cookie recipes I didn’t find any that quite fit the bill so I thought I would develop my own. I’m known as a cookie monster amongst my friends.

I think there a few little secrets that take this from a great recipe to cookies that taste amazing.

I knew what I wanted in a Monster Cookie. I wanted a soft chocolate chip cookie packed with peanut butter flavor, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and oats. That’s what makes the best monster cookies.

For some reason these almost seem healthy? Like a protein cookie? Maybe it’s the peanut butter.

I learned frommyOatmeal Cookies that chewy cookies actually are a result of using less oats. Although I have had several fails, this my friends…was a success.

I like to hand place some M&Ms on top of the cookie after I’ve rolled balls of dough to bake.

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (4)

Even better, place additional chocolate chips and M&Ms on the cookies right after they come out of the oven. That way they don’t crack because sometimes the M&Ms will crack under the heat.

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (5)

It gives you more control of what the final cookies look like and gives them a more polished look.I used old fashioned oats because I love the texture of them.

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (6)

The absolute key to this monster cookie recipe is to not overbake them. Trust in the process and let them continue to cook on the pan even though you might not think they are done.

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (7)

The middles of these Monster Cookies are soft and full of bursts of peanut butter, chocolate chips, andM&Ms.

CAN I USE QUICK OATS INSTEAD OF OLD-FASHIONED OATS?

I wouldn’t suggest it. Quick oats have a finer texture and therefore when measured will be more than if using old-fashioned oats which will result in a thicker, drier cookie.

WHY DO MY MONSTER COOKIES GO FLAT?

I’ve never had anyone complain that these cookies were flat. These are thick cookies.

CAN I USE NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER?

I would not recommend using natural peanut butter because it’s too runny. I like to use Skippy or Jif. You can try using other nut butters but I have not tried it with them.

You can use a chunky peanut butter if you like to give it more crunch.

HOW TO MAKE MONSTER COOKIES

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well until creamy.
  5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until incorporated on low speed. Mix in the oats.
  6. Stir in the peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and M&M candies.
  7. Using a cookie scoop, scoop balls of dough, around 1 1/2 Tablespoons each, on the parchment sheet or baking mat.
  8. Bake for 9-11 minutes. For best results make sure not to overbake. Baking time will depend on your oven. The cookies will not be brown and will continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet.

VARIATIONS:

Use white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, mini M&M candies, or Reese’s Pieces.

OTHER PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES:

  • Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
  • Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Turtle Buckeye Brownies
  • Cutler’s Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes
  • No-Bake Cookies
  • Homemade Reese’s Bars
  • Monster Cookie Cheesecake Bars

The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (8)

Monster Cookies

4.54 from 41 votes

Monster Cookies are soft andfilled with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. After searching for the bestMonster Cookies recipe and not finding one, I came up with these easy chewy monster cookies my own! These are perfect!

PrintPinRate

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 9 minutes mins

Total Time: 19 minutes mins

Servings: 30 cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, (use crunchy if you like nuts)
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup peanut butter chips
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup M&Ms

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

  • In a large bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter.

  • Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well until creamy scraping down the sides of the bowl.

  • Slowly add the flour mixture until incorporated. Mix in the oats.

  • Stir in the peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. You can use a mixer (if you're lazy like me) or stir in by hand. Stirring in by hand makes sure that the M&Ms don't break.

  • Place cookie dough balls, around 1 1/2 Tablespoons dough each, on the parchment sheet. You can hand place extra M&Ms on top, pressing slightly in, to give the cookies a professional look.

  • Bake for 9-11 minutes. Make sure not to overbake. The cookies will not be brown and will continue to cook as they cool on the pan.

  • Store in an airtight container. Makes around 2 1/2 dozen.

Notes

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Christy Denney

All Desserts All Recipes Chocolate Christmas Recipes Cookies Desserts Holiday Recipes Peanut Buttercookies desserts oats peanut butter

originally published on Jan 21, 2023 (last updated Dec 21, 2023)

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100 of my favorite recipes! This is the family-friendly cookbook for anyone looking to plan quick-and-easy meals and wants a way to bring people together, feasting on food which can only be described as scrumptious.

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76 comments on “Monster Cookies”

  1. Melissa Reply

    These are great!!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you!

  2. Blair Reply

    Hi,
    I’m making these cookies now but it’ll make way too many cookies for us to eat! Can I freeze the dough? Some cookie doughs don’t thaw well so I was wondering how this one holds up.
    Thanks!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Absolutely. This dough freezes great.

  3. Pattie Reply

    I made these cookies for a treat for my sons class. The kids loved them! Of course what seven year old wouldn’t like m&m’s in their cookies!

  4. Krystal Reply

    Hi there,

    This is the first time I have tried this recipe and for some reason my cookies did not flatten out in the oven and remained in a ball. They are also extremely dry which is strange because I weighed out the flour to two cups and did not over mix.

    I have half the dough still in the fridge, do you have any suggestions on how to make the remaining dough more moist?

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I believe the secret is to not overbake them! They do well with a slight underbake. What kind of oats did you use?

      • Krystal S. Reply

        I used old fashion oats like you had recommended. I only baked them at the time and temperature listed in the directions so I am not quite sure what happened. The hot chocolate cookies turned out the exact same, like little hockey pucks. I don’t believe it’s your recipes, something has to be going on with my oven or maybe I’m adding too much flour who knows. 😖 thanks for getting back to me regardless!

  5. Melly Reply

    How long should you leave them on the pan to cool after baking for the 9-11 minutes?

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Just a couple of minutes. 2-3 is plenty.

  6. Deb Reply

    Can the peanut butter be natural or are you suggesting a major brand like skippy or JIF? I read some other monster cookie recipes which advised against natural or real peanut butter and I’m not sure what you recommend.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I do not think natural peanut butter would be ideal because it’s too runny.

  7. Kaytlynn from Alaska ! Reply

    I LOVE this recipe. I found it 3 years ago and it’s my go to cookie recipe. It’s so consistent that it’s easy for me to not mess up! I’ve made them 5-6 times a year. Trust the process you guys ! Leaving them to finish cooking on the pan is the key ! Thank you so much for creating this awesome recipe ! ❤️

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you Kaytlynn for that vote of confidence.

  8. Andrea Reply

    I found this recipe 4 years ago and have made it 4-5 times a year since. It’s my most requested cookie, even my grandmother needed to have my recipe! The only permanent alterations I’ve made are to add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder for a little more puffiness and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, the warmth makes the peanut butter chocolate combo even more delicious. I mix up the ratio of sweet/semi/dark/peanut butter/butterscotch chips and M&M’s every time but always use 2.5 cups in the dough. Every time I say I’m not going to take the time to press more pieces on top, but I always do because it gives the cookies such a great look. I don’t even bother with anything less than a double batch and always have at least a dozen in the freezer for “emergencies”! Thank you for this recipe, it’s become my signature cookie!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      That makes me want to cry with happiness. Thank you!

  9. Sue Reply

    Hi. If I’d like to leave out the M&Ms is there any adjustment I would need to make?

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Nope! You’re good to go.

  10. Alicia Reply

    Not very chewy at all came out rather dry. I tried to cut baking time, but got the same result after they cooled.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Alicia,
      I’m so sorry to hear that. It could be possible you had too much flour? You should spoon your flour into your measuring cups.

  11. Courtney Reply

    Honestly, I have been using this recipe for a few years now. It is my go-to for any occasion that I am told to bring something. And oh man do I get compliments. These are seriously the best cookies ever. They never last more than 2 days in my house.

  12. Jenna Reply

    I’ve been craving monster cookies for a few weeks, I’ve had the ingredients for a while just looking for the”right”recipe. I tried yours tonight! Perfection! Love ❤️ them! Delicious! My sons are scarfing them down as I type this! Thank you for your receipe and the easy directions!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      These are honestly one of my faves! Glad you agree.

  13. www.fixingwindows8.com Reply

    Thanks for the wonderful post

    • Christy Denney Reply

      You’re welcome!

  14. Lisa Reply

    These are so delicious! I’ve made them before using a different recipe in which you had to refrigerate the dough for a couple of hours. I didn’t feel like doing that now, so decided to try your recipe. I think we liked these even more! We used walnuts and raisins instead of the peanut butter chips and m&m’s. Delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Ooh yes. Sounds delicious.

  15. Brooke Ann Reply

    I couldn’t decide on a recipe from Pioneer Woman which sparked my need for monster cookies or this one which came so highly rated from co-workers (not to mention, I already adore TGWAE’s S’mores cookies). So, I went with this one and just cut PB chips back by half and added the 1/2 C chopped pecans and 2 C crisped rice cereal from the other recipe. Luckily they didn’t crumble apart and turned out even better than I’d hoped! A shame I can’t share a picture because they looked spot on!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Ooh I think rice cereal is a GENIUS addition! Good thinking!

  16. Regina Reply

    These turned out great. Thank you so much for the recipe. My 6yr old daughter did most of the work and she loved “testing” as we went along.

    • Regina Reply

      Oops posted and messed up on my email address. Wasn’t sure if that mattered.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Aww. Thank you!

  17. Michael Reply

    We make those every year for Christmas but instead of peanut butter chips we replace them with Reese’s pieces but otherwise the same thing, and they are awesome!

  18. Morgan Reply

    How long do these cookies last after baking?

    • Christy Denney Reply

      3 minutes. JK. I think you can keep them in a store tight container for a couple of days.

  19. Nicole Reply

    These cookies were amazing! but I need some help, I’m trying organic peanut butter for the first time and while by peanut butter cookies came out wonderful using organic these cookies came out really dry and crumbly. They were still good (my hubby can’t stop eating them lol) but how do I make them more creamy? Just use more peanut butter? Thanks.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I can only vouch for regular peanut butter (JIF) or something not natural. You could definitely try using more peanut butter.

  20. lynne Reply

    These are Awesome! My grandson loves my mini monsters

  21. Tally Reply

    Looks so good

  22. Adrienne Reply

    I am so thankful for you and your recipe 🙂 I cannot make cookies. Really. They turn into flattened hard blobs every time, when my friends use the same recipe they come out amazing, but not me. I have no idea what’s wrong with me! I actually bake a lot and have lots of success with other things, just not cookies for some reason. After a while I gave up and refused to try making cookies anymore. My distraught husband made these cookies and they’re DELICIOUS! perfectly soft, but crispy on the edges, filled with yummy ingredients. We love them! So thank you for bringing cookies back into our lives. It would be a sad live that was cookie-less!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I’m so so glad to hear that. Life would not be complete without cookies.

  23. Amanda Reply

    I’ve made these cookies a couple times now and I love them! They are preyy easy and they’re always a big hit! I’ve also used dark chocolate M&Ms in them, which is a fun mix up 🙂 Thanks for shaing your recipe!…I’ve enjoyed it 🙂

    • Christy Denney Reply

      You’re welcome. I’m so glad you like them!

  24. Tiffany Reply

    I made these yesterday and brought them to work, my coworkers went crazy for them! Amazing recipe! Your recipes never let me down! Thanks =)

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you!

  25. Leslie Reply

    Question–it says 3/4 cup of butter, but then 1 1/2 sticks in parenthesis. Which is it? 1.5 sticks would be 1.5 cups…help! Best recipe I’ve found and want to make today!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Shoot Leslie. Probably too late. 1 stick of butter is 1/2 cup so 1 1/2 sticks is 3/4 cup.

  26. Martha Reply

    They look great!!! I want to make them now!! question I like my cookies crisp, do I need to add more oats, could you give me an advise! Thanks!!!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Yes. More oats or flour should do the trick.

  27. amanda Reply

    I made these cookies yesterday and they turned out great! Definitely one I will be making again! …Sharing this recipe with a friend 🙂

  28. Kat Reply

    i just made these. Oh, my gosh. Absolutely delicious and so much better than the monster cookie recipe I’ve been using. Thank you for a recipe that actually delivers! I am new to your website and look forward to trying more stuff!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you Kat!

  29. Goshgirl Reply

    I regret to say that alas, these are not Monster cookies. Not the Amish loved cookies of my youth; but they are nice cookies. These created a cake like cookie. They lacked the slight snap of the Mennonite cookie I know so well. Two things: I used all natural peanut butter. But that would result in a dryer cookie (mine was crumbly). My suspicion is that the omission of corn syrup (and why I chose your recipe in the first place) is the component. The batter just lacked a certain sine quod non. We did enjoy the cookies very much. my toddler had fun extracting the candy peices from his cookies -with a spoon no less. I future I think I will try to use maple syrup to mimic that chewy snap.

    • Jen Reply

      You are correct. Though these look so awesome, monster cookies do not have flour in them. But I would definitely love to try these!

  30. Mimi Reply

    Just made these today. They’re amazing! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      You’re welcome!

  31. Judy Reply

    Had a snow day today and made these cookies. They are awesome!!!! Never had a monster cookie until today…. delish!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Yay! Love that you loved them!

  32. Linzye Reply

    I saw this recipe on Pinterest and pinned it. Today is a snow day in northeast Alabama and I just had to make them! They were a hit! I halved the recipe bc we are on a diet! Ha!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Glad you loved them.

  33. danielle Reply

    my turning 5yo requested these for her birthday dessert, and her 3yo sister tells everyone, “we’re having monster cookies – RAWR! but don’t worry. they’re not scary.” and i’ll add that they’re delicious!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Oh my gosh! She’s the cutest thing ever…

  34. Peggy Reply

    I made these today. These seriously are the best cookies I’ve ever ate. They look and taste amazing and her recipe directions are perfect recipe! Thanks Christy for all you do!!!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Oh Peggy. You made my day!! I love you!

  35. capturing joy with kristen duke Reply

    THese look so yummy! Pinned!

  36. Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts Reply

    the dough looks amazing!!! love these! I’m pinning the recipe and making them as soon as possible!

  37. Medha @ Whisk & Shout Reply

    These look awesome! I’ve never had a monster cookie!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Whaaa??? Oh my gosh. You need one.

  38. Niki Reply

    My favorite kind of cookie!! I’ll have to try your recipe out as I have not found the perfect one yet.

  39. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy Reply

    Great minds think alike! I just made monster cookies last night 🙂 Why are they so darn good?!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      They almost taste like a naughty protein bar.

  40. Isabella Reply

    Ahh, this cookies seem to be so lovely! Definitely gonna try this.

  41. Sophie Reply

    These look DELICIOUS! Will be putting them on my ‘to bake’ list! x

  42. Manic Mama Reply

    My 5yo wanted to tell you that they aren’t Monster Cookies because they aren’t made from monsters …. I swear, they don’t make kids like they used to. When I was 5, I was excited just to be allowed to EAT the cookies.

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      He has a very, very good point.

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The Best Monster Cookies Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

FAQs

What are the cookies that Cookie Monster eats? ›

Although one would assume Cookie Monster would obviously eat cookies, you might be surprised to discover that those big round cookies he happily piles into his mouth are actually painted rice cakes decorated to resemble cookies.

What is Cookie Monster's cookie? ›

The recipe, roughly: Pancake mix, puffed rice, Grape-Nuts and instant coffee, with water in the mixture. The chocolate chips are made using hot glue sticks — essentially colored gobs of glue. The cookies do not have oils, fats or sugars. Those would stain Cookie Monster.

How do you beat cookie dough? ›

Realize that most recipes combine the flour and other dry ingredients before adding them to the butter mixture. Raisins, chocolate chips, other "add ins" and, sometimes oats, are added last. Once dry ingredients have been added, don't beat vigorously or overmix. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.

Who is the pink Cookie Monster? ›

Gonger is an adorable little pink monster with a HUGE amount of energy. He is Sesame Street's resident foodie and acts as the head chef of Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck. He is prone to quick bursts of emotion, as when Cookie Monster eats a necessary recipe ingredient, but he quickly regains his composure.

What was the original Cookie Monster? ›

First, some history: The Muppet that would eventually become known as Cookie Monster was first developed by Jim Henson in the mid-1960s for a snack commercial, where he was unofficially referred to as a “wheel stealer” due to his penchant for stealing wheel-shaped cheese crackers.

Who is Cookie Monster's girlfriend? ›

Cookie Monster, a character from the children's TV show Sesame Street, does not have a canonically established girlfriend in the show. Throughout the years, Cookie Monster has appeared in various skits and segments, but he has not been portrayed as having a romantic relationship with another character on the show.

What is Cookie Monster's mental illness? ›

Let's start with the obvious: Cookie Monster has an eating disorder and Count von Count is OCD. Grover, who sometimes thinks he's a superhero, has some kind of delusional disorder. Ernie and Bert present more difficult cases.

What is Snoop Dogg cookies? ›

Snoop Dogg's peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe - His original cookie features creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate morsels, making it the perfect indulgence this holiday season. #

What is Taylor Swift's cookie recipe? ›

Taylor Swift's Chai Sugar Cookie Recipe
  1. 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  2. 1/2 cup vegetable oil.
  3. 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for topping.
  4. 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
  5. 1 large egg.
  6. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  7. 2 cups flour.
  8. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
Oct 5, 2023

What is a Taylor Swift cookie? ›

No, they aren't cookies shaped like Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift Cookies are these Chai Sugar Cookies that Taylor made for the 1989 Secret Sessions. She posted a picture of them on her Instagram and then posted the recipe on Tumblr. Kind of a cross between a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle.

What does too much egg in cookie dough do? ›

Too little egg, and your cookies won't have quite the same ooey gooey chewy wonderfulness to them; they'll be a bit tougher and drier. Far too little, and the dough will not come together properly, and bake up dry and crunchy. But on the other hand, too much egg, and your cookies will puff up and be cakey.

What thickens cookie dough? ›

Soft – Dough that's “soft” or “runny” can be thickened by adding one or two tablespoons of flour to your mix. This will help keep your batch from “Spreading” and coming out of the oven looking like flat, not-so-cookie-like puddles.

What happens if you overmix eggs in cookies? ›

Overmixing is exactly what it sounds like: the process by which a dough or batter gets mixed too much, typically yielding dense, tough, or deflated baked goods. Overmixed doughs and batters may have an unappealing look or feel, which remain just as unappealing when they're baked.

Did the Cookie Monster eat cookies? ›

As evidenced by years of history on Sesame Street, Cookie Monster has never eaten "only cookies." In fact, he has proven that he will eat just about anything.

Why does Cookie Monster eat cookies? ›

Cookie Monster, a character from Sesame Street, is known for his love of cookies, especially chocolate chip cookies. His insatiable appetite for cookies is a playful and humorous way to entertain and educate young audiences. The character was originally designed to teach children about self-control and moderation.

What are monster cookies made of? ›

Monster Cookies are typically made with a peanut butter cookie base, and loaded up with oats, m&ms, and chocolate chips! Besides those mix-ins, you'll need a few other simple ingredients, which yield an incredibly delicious cookie! Butter – I love salted butter, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.

Does the Cookie Monster share his cookies? ›

Despite his struggle to control his impulses and delay gratification, Cookie Monster will always share his food with his friends like Elmo and Abby. He models and encourages these skills and strategies in his segment “Smart Cookies.”

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