Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable Version)
Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies studded with semisweet chips and patriotic 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
03 - Add creamy peanut butter and mix to combine. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then mix in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet batter, mixing just until combined.
06 - Gently fold in the chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about two inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn golden and centers remain soft.
09 - Allow to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies stay irresistibly soft and chewy, even a day or two later (if they last that long).
- It’s pure joy watching everyone hunt for their favorite colored candy bites in each cookie.
02 -
- More time in the oven means crispier cookies—if you love super-chewy, take them out when they still look slightly underdone.
- If using natural peanut butter, make sure it’s well-stirred so the dough doesn't turn greasy or fall apart.
03 -
- Never over-mix after adding the dry ingredients—stop as soon as it all comes together for the best texture.
- Pressing some extra candies on top before baking gives the most festive look (and happy faces at the table).