Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable Version)
Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies studded with chocolate and red-white-blue candies for festive gatherings.
# 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
03 - Blend in peanut butter. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, blending until just incorporated.
06 - Gently fold in chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and mini pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about two inches between each mound.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and centers appear slightly under-baked.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You can stir the dough together in a single bowl—no fancy steps, just honest-to-goodness cookie making.
- Every bite balances salty, sweet, chewy, and crunchy, thanks to the oats, candy, and a secret punch of pretzel.
02 -
- If you bake them until firm all over, you’ll lose the irresistible chew—take them out when the centers are still tender.
- The first time I tried natural peanut butter, the dough spread and cookies ran wild, so stick with classic creamy types.
03 -
- Underbake by a minute or two if you love an extra-gooey center.
- Swirl in the flour and oats just until combined—overmixing leads to dense, tough cookies.