If you’re searching for a festive treat that brings holiday cheer in every bite, this Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. Bursting with colorful holiday M&M’s, crunchy pretzels, and both dark and white chocolate chips, these cookies are a delightful blend of textures and flavors that capture the joyous spirit of Christmas. Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting to loved ones, or simply indulging a sweet tooth, this recipe offers an easy, fun, and utterly delicious way to celebrate the season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to creating these festive masterpieces. Each component plays an important role— from the creamy butter that gives richness, to the oats providing hearty chewiness, and the colorful M&M’s that bring eye-catching holiday vibes. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
- Butter (2 sticks/1 cup, room temperature): Provides a rich, creamy base and tender crumb for the cookies.
- Dark brown sugar (1 cup): Adds deep molasses flavor and moisture for a chewy texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and helps with a slight crisp edge.
- Eggs (2 large + 1 yolk): Bind everything together while adding moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Infuses a warm, inviting aroma that enhances all the flavors.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The structural foundation for the cookies.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Provides lift and helps the cookies spread just right.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Works with baking soda for perfect texture.
- Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances sweetness and balances flavor.
- Old fashioned oats (2 cups): Adds hearty chewiness and a rustic touch.
- Holiday M&M’s (1 1/4 cups): Brings cheerful colors and pockets of chocolatey fun.
- Mini pretzel sticks, crushed (1 cup): Adds a salty crunch that makes every bite exciting.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (1 cup): Melts into gooey chocolate pockets.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Offers creamy contrast and extra sweetness.
How to Make Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Setting this up in advance makes the baking process seamless and keeps your cookies from sticking, ensuring they come out perfectly every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step activates the sugars and infuses the dough with flavor, laying the foundation for a tender, flavorful cookie.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, plus the extra egg yolk, blending each thoroughly before adding the next. This adds structure and richness, helping the cookies hold their shape while staying moist and soft inside.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Oats
Combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the batter. Stir in the old fashioned oats for that classic chewy monster cookie texture, ensuring every bite has heart and substance.
Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Gently fold in 1 cup of the holiday M&M’s, crushed pretzels, semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks, and white chocolate chips. These festive add-ins bring a beautiful balance of crunch, sweetness, and melty goodness, making each cookie a surprise of holiday cheer.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1/4 cup-sized balls and place them 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for an additional 2 minutes. At this point, press the remaining M&M’s gently on top of the cookies and bake for another 2-3 minutes. This technique ensures bright, colorful candies peek through the golden tops, creating that signature Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe look.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool right on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they rest, helping them set perfectly with chewy centers and crisp edges. For best enjoyment, dig in warm!
How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are fantastic as-is, adding a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can elevate their presentation. Sprinkling a few extra holiday M&M’s around the platter adds a festive pop of color that makes them irresistible on any dessert table.
Side Dishes
Pair these monster cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of creamy hot cocoa, or even a spiced eggnog for the ultimate holiday indulgence. Their generous mix of flavors and textures complement warm beverages beautifully and bring out the nostalgia of Christmas gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, consider stacking Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe creations into a holiday cookie tower tied with a ribbon. Alternatively, package them in clear cellophane bags with festive ties for delightful homemade gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers after your celebrations, store your Christmas Monster Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their perfect chewy texture for up to four days, making them an excellent treat for later snacking.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. They stay fresh for up to three months and are wonderful to pull out for unexpected guests or festive snack cravings.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm after storage, simply microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds or warm them briefly in a preheated oven at 300° F. This reheating method revives that fresh-baked softness and melted chocolate goodness that make these cookies so special.
FAQs
Can I substitute the salted butter with unsalted butter?
Yes! If you use unsalted butter, just be sure to add a bit more salt to the recipe to maintain the right balance of flavors. Salt enhances the sweetness and rounds out the cookie taste beautifully.
Are holiday M&M’s necessary or can I use regular ones?
You can absolutely use regular M&M’s if holiday-themed ones aren’t available. The festive M&M’s add a bit more seasonal flair, but the classic ones are just as delicious and colorful.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make this Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well to avoid cross-contamination.
Is it possible to make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. This resting time can enhance the flavors and make the dough easier to handle when shaping your cookies.
What makes these cookies “monster” cookies?
The term “monster cookies” usually refers to oversized cookies packed with lots of mix-ins like oats, chocolates, candies, and pretzels. This Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe fits that description perfectly and adds a festive holiday twist.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly something magical about these Christmas Monster Cookies Recipe that makes them a holiday favorite—whether it’s their gooey, chewy texture, the festive colors, or the salty-sweet crunch. I can’t recommend enough trying this recipe; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings warmth and joy straight out of your oven. Happy baking and even happier snacking!
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
These festive Christmas Monster Cookies are loaded with holiday M&M’s, crunchy pretzels, and a mix of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips for a perfect balance of sweet and salty. Soft and chewy, with a delightful oat texture, they make a fun and colorful treat ideal for holiday celebrations.
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 large 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 Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- 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, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs. Incorporate the eggs and additional egg yolk one at a time, beating each in thoroughly to ensure the ingredients are well combined and contribute to cookie richness and structure.
- Mix Dry Ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Beat until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
- Stir in Oats and Add-ins. Beat in the old fashioned oats, then fold gently with a spatula or spoon the holiday M&M’s (reserve 1/4 cup), crushed pretzels, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookie Dough. Roll the dough into approximately 1/4 cup sized balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Initial Bake. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. This step begins cooking the dough while maintaining a chewy texture.
- Rotate Pan and Continue Baking. Rotate the baking sheet to ensure even heat distribution and bake for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add Reserved M&M’s. Remove the pan from the oven, press the remaining M&M’s into the tops of the cookies to decorate and add extra color and crunch, then return to the oven.
- Final Bake. Bake for another 2 to 3 minutes until cookies are set but still soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they cool, solidifying the texture.
- Serve and Store. Enjoy the cookies warm for the best taste and texture, or let cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure it creams properly with sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
- Spacing dough balls adequately helps prevent cookies from merging during baking.
- Pressing extra M&M’s on top after partial baking gives a festive look and added texture.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
