Christmas Monster Cookies

Christmas Monster Cookies are peanut butter cookies with oatmeal, cinnamon, white chocolate chips, M&M candies, and holiday sprinkles added.

Why are these called Monster Cookies?

There are a few different theories floating around about how this delicious cookie got their name.

One theory is that they are such big and thick cookies and loaded up with so many different ingredients – they are like Frankenstein’s monster!

Others attribute this cookie to a fellow named Dick Wesley, a photographer from Michigan State University, who ran out of flour when he was making some peanut butter cookies. So he improvised – adding oats and a bunch of other ingredients – and ended up with a huge amount of cookie dough!

Either way – these Christmas Monster Cookies are delicious as a “kitchen sink” type of cookie. They are sort of a cross between an oatmeal cinnamon cookie and a peanut butter cookie plus chocolate chips, M&Ms and sprinkles all thrown in for good measure.

(These cookies are also a great way to use up some leftover ingredients from making our Christmas M&M Cookies or Christmas Sprinkle Cookies.)

• The combination of so many different flavors in this cookie is surprisingly delicious!
• You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your tastes and ingredients on hand – swap out the white chocolate and add in semi-sweet chocolate chips. Use any color M&Ms and sprinkles you have on hand. You can even swap in a different kind of nut butter.
• These cookies are fun and festive – perfect for a holiday dessert tray.

• All-Purpose Flour
• Quick Oats – Don’t be tempted to swap in rolled oats. For the correct texture, you’ll want the quick-cooking oats.
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Ground Cinnamon
• Table Salt
• Unsalted Butter
• Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar can be used. It won’t really matter in terms of flavor, but the color of your finished cookie will vary. (We used light brown sugar.)
• Granulated Sugar
• Creamy Peanut Butter – Use a processed brand such as Jif or Skippy for the best results. A natural peanut butter (as much as we love it) won’t mix in as well as the processed and could lead to a crumblier texture.
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Red and Green M&Ms
• Holiday Colored Sprinkles

1. Whisk together dry ingredients.
2. Beat butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.
3. Add peanut butter and mix again.
4. Add eggs one at a time, and vanilla, mixing well after each addition.
5. Slowly mix in dry ingredients just until combined.
6. Stir in M&Ms and chocolate chips.
7. Portion the cookie dough and roll into balls.
8. Place dough balls onto cookie sheets and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.
9. Press additional M&Ms and white chocolate chips into the top of each portion. Add some sprinkles on top.
10. Bake until just set, then cool.

• Can I make Christmas Monster Cookies ahead of time? Yes, but these cookies are best when eaten within a day or two. If you plan to bake them far ahead of serving, freeze them to keep them fresh.
• How do I store these cookies? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
• How do I freeze these cookies? Lay them out flat on a tray and freeze. Once frozen solid, you can wrap them up tightly in plastic wrap.

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