Patriotic Monster Cookies (Print Version)
Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies studded with chocolate chips and red, white, and blue candies.
# What You Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
07 - 4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Add-Ins
11 - 1 1/2 cups red, white, and blue chocolate candies
12 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
13 - 1 cup mini pretzels, lightly crushed (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
03 - Add creamy peanut butter to the bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until uniformly mixed.
05 - Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Fold in chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and crushed mini pretzels if desired.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound two inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers remain slightly soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Every bite bursts with classic peanut butter flavor, a big hit at parties—trust me, there are never leftovers.
- All those red, white, and blue candies make the cookies look so celebratory that even people who "don’t like sweets" sneak one when they think you’re not looking.
02 -
- Don’t overbake—even one minute too long, and you’ll lose that glorious chew that makes these monsters special.
- Reserving some candies to add on top of the hot cookies will make them look straight out of a bakery.
03 -
- Letting the dough chill 15 minutes between mixing and baking helps control spreading and intensifies the flavors.
- Always have extra candies handy to press into the tops right after baking for the “wow” effect.