Description
These Holiday Monster Cookies are a festive and delightful treat packed with oats, holiday M&M's, pretzel sticks, and both semi-sweet and white chocolate chips. Soft, chewy, and crunchy all at once, these cookies are perfect for celebrations and holiday gatherings, offering a sweet and salty combination that everyone will love.
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 and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: 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. Then, beat in the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined, then beat in the old fashioned oats to give the dough texture and heartiness.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in 1 cup of the holiday M&M's, crushed pretzel sticks, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into balls weighing approximately 1/4 cup each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Partially: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, rotate the baking sheet to promote even baking, then continue baking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add Remaining M&M's and Finish Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully press the remaining 1/4 cup of M&M's onto the tops of the cookies. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet where they will continue to cook slightly. Enjoy warm for the best taste and texture, or let cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Using room temperature butter helps achieve a creamy, well-incorporated batter.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
- Spacing cookies 3 inches apart helps prevent them from merging while baking.
- Adding M&M's after partial baking preserves their color and texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For extra festive flair, you can substitute the M&M's with any holiday-themed candy or chocolate chips.