If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that will delight both kids and adults at your holiday gatherings, this Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with vibrant holiday M&M’s, crunchy pretzels, and a delightful mix of chocolate chips, these cookies bring together a perfect balance of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy textures that make every bite feel like a celebration. Whipping up these colorful, monster-sized cookies is not only incredibly fun but also a guaranteed way to spread holiday cheer with every generous mouthful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients is all it takes to create the perfect Christmas Monster Cookies. Each component plays a crucial role in building the cookie’s rich flavor, chewy texture, and festive look that’s impossible to resist.
- Salted butter (2 sticks / 1 cup): Adds a creamy richness that’s the foundation of a tender cookie.
- Dark brown sugar (1 cup): Brings deep, caramel notes and moisture to keep cookies chewy.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and helps achieve the perfect cookie crispness on the edges.
- Large eggs (2) plus 1 egg yolk: Bind everything together and add moisture for a soft interior.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Enhances all the flavors with a warm, cozy undertone.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The sturdy base that holds the cookie dough together.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Leavens the cookies so they rise just right.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Adds extra lift and lightness.
- Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon): Amplifies sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
- Old fashioned oats (2 cups): Provide a chewy texture with a hint of wholesome goodness.
- Holiday M&M’s (1 1/4 cups): The star of the show that offers bursts of color and chocolate.
- Mini pretzel sticks, crushed (1 cup): Add a salty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sweet elements.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (1 cup): Dark chocolate notes elevate the cookie’s flavor complexity.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Provide creamy sweetness and a pretty contrast in every bite.
How to Make Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together your room temperature butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and combined. This creamy base is where the magic begins, setting the stage for a luscious cookie texture.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs
Add the eggs and additional egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition. The extra yolk amps up the cookie’s richness and chewiness, so don’t skip it!
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Oats
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt separately, then gradually blend them into your wet mixture. Stir in the oats last to ensure a hearty yet tender crumb that makes each bite satisfying.
Step 5: Fold in the Fun Stuff
Gently fold in one cup of the M&M’s, crushed pretzels, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. These add-ins bring excitement to both texture and taste—creating a cookie that’s truly festive and fun.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Roll your dough into 1/4 cup-sized balls and space them about three inches apart on your baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the pan briefly, press the remaining M&M’s onto the tops of the cookies, and bake for another 2-3 minutes until beautifully golden.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool right on the baking sheet. This resting period helps them set up perfectly while staying soft inside. The cookies are heavenly served warm, but they also keep beautifully in an airtight container for days.
How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Christmas Monster Cookies recipe even further, sprinkle a few extra crushed pretzels or colorful holiday M&M’s on top before serving. This adds a delightful visual pop and extra crunch that guests will adore.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with holiday favorites like a glass of cold milk, gingerbread latte, or even a cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and marshmallows for the ultimate festive vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful presentation, stack the cookies tied with a festive ribbon or arrange them in a holiday-themed tin. You can also place individual cookies in clear treat bags with holiday stickers, making great gifts or party favors that spread joy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Christmas Monster Cookies fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay deliciously chewy and flavorful for up to four days.
Freezing
If you want to save these festive treats for later, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze wonderfully for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
Warm frozen or stored cookies in a microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300° F for 5 minutes. Reheating brings back that just-baked softness and perfectly melted chocolate that will make you forget they were ever frozen.
FAQs
Can I use regular M&M’s instead of holiday ones?
Absolutely! Regular M&M’s work perfectly well and will still give you that chocolatey, colorful burst that makes the Christmas Monster Cookies recipe so fun.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free by default. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to suit your dietary needs, though texture might vary slightly.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This can actually improve the flavor as time allows the spices and sugars to meld.
What’s the best way to crush pretzels for this recipe?
Place pretzel sticks in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush with a rolling pin or use food processor pulses for more even pieces—just avoid pulverizing them into powder.
How can I make these cookies vegan?
To adapt this Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe for a vegan diet, substitute butter with plant-based margarine, use flax or chia eggs instead of regular eggs, and check your chocolate and M&M’s to ensure they are dairy-free.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Christmas Monster Cookies recipe a try because it’s such a joyful, crowd-pleasing way to celebrate the season. The delightful mix of textures and flavors makes every bite feel like a little holiday party in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself, these cookies will brighten your day and keep those Christmas spirits high. Happy baking!
Print
Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully festive Christmas Monster Cookies packed with oats, chocolate chips, pretzels, and holiday M&M’s. These chewy, colorful cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations or gifting, combining the richness of buttery dough with crunchy pretzels and the sweetness of multiple chocolates in every bite.
Ingredients
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 (divided)
- 1 cup mini pretzel sticks, crushed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring your cookies will have a rich texture.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the 2 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate the eggs into the batter and create a smooth dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In the same bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Beat the mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which could make the cookies tough.
- Incorporate Oats and Mix-ins: Beat in the old fashioned oats until evenly distributed. Then fold in 1 cup of the holiday M&M’s, the crushed mini pretzels, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, mixing gently to retain texture without breaking the add-ins.
- Form Cookies: Roll the dough into 1/4 cup-sized balls, spacing them about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Rotate the pan to ensure even baking, then bake for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add Remaining M&M’s and Finish Baking: Remove the pan from the oven and gently press the remaining 1/4 cup of holiday M&M’s onto the tops of the partially baked cookies. Return to the oven and bake for 2 to 3 more minutes until the cookies are set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they rest. For best flavor, enjoy them warm, or store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- You can substitute salted butter with unsalted butter plus a pinch of extra salt if desired.
- Use old fashioned oats rather than quick oats for better texture in the cookies.
- Adjust the amount of pretzels or chocolate chips to your preference for more or less crunch and sweetness.
- These cookies freeze well if stored in an airtight container, allowing you to enjoy them later.
- Pressing additional M&M’s on top prior to final baking adds festive color and a fresh candy crunch.
