Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable Version)
Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies studded with semisweet chips and patriotic red, white, and blue candies.
# What You'll 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 the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
03 - Add creamy peanut butter and blend thoroughly. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
05 - Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just integrated; avoid overmixing.
06 - Gently fold in chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and mini pretzels if using, distributing evenly through the dough.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft.
09 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until fully cooled.
# Expert Suggestions:
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).