Description
These festive Christmas Monster Cookies are loaded with holiday M&M’s, pretzels, and chocolate chips, creating a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures. Soft and chewy on the inside with an irresistible melty chocolate center, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
Add-ins
- 1 1/4 cups holiday M&M’s
- 1 cup mini pretzel sticks, crushed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until fully combined and creamy. Then, beat in the 2 large eggs and 1 egg yolk one at a time until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Beat the batter gently as you incorporate the dry ingredients until just combined. Then, fold in the old fashioned oats thoroughly.
- Fold in Add-ins: Carefully fold in 1 cup of holiday M&M’s, the crushed mini pretzel sticks, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips to evenly distribute these delicious mix-ins throughout the dough.
- Form Cookie Balls: Using a 1/4 cup measuring scoop or a spoon, roll the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Afterward, rotate the baking sheet for even baking and bake for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add Remaining M&M’s and Final Bake: Remove the cookies from the oven briefly and gently press the remaining 1/4 cup of M&M’s onto the top of each cookie. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the cookies are set and edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet. The residual heat will continue to cook them slightly. Enjoy the cookies warm for the best melty texture, or let them cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and creamier texture.
- If you prefer, substitute salted butter with unsalted butter and add a pinch more salt to taste.
- Make sure to space cookies sufficiently on the baking sheet to avoid them joining during baking.
- For extra crunch, roughly crush pretzels rather than pulverizing them.
- Cookies are best enjoyed fresh but keep them airtight to maintain softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cookies, monster cookies, holiday cookies, M&M cookies, chocolate chip cookies, oat cookies, festive desserts
