Christmas Monster Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

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Looking for a fun and easy way to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen? Christmas Monster Cookies are the perfect solution. With a delightful blend of chocolate, oats, pretzels, and festive M&Ms, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or preparing a cookie box for gifting, these cookies are a sweet, crunchy, and gooey treat that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Monster Cookies

These Christmas Monster Cookies are everything you could want in a holiday treat: quick, easy, and full of festive flavor. The combination of crunchy edges and soft, gooey centers creates the perfect cookie texture. Plus, the salty pretzel pieces and sweet chocolate chunks give each bite the perfect balance of flavors. With a touch of holiday cheer from the M&Ms, this cookie is sure to become a holiday classic.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of the essential ingredients that make these cookies a holiday favorite:

Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve that soft, chewy texture.
Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to the cookie’s perfect crispiness around the edges.
Flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing structure.

Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Ensures the cookies rise to perfection.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps balance the sweetness.
Oats: Adds chewiness and texture, making each bite hearty.

Pretzels: Bring a salty crunch that complements the sweetness of the chocolate.
Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate Chunks: Provides rich, melty chocolate pieces in every bite.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.

M&Ms (Red & Green for a festive touch): These candies not only add color but bring a burst of sweet crunch.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you’re looking to adjust the recipe for dietary preferences or what you have available, consider these swaps:

• Gluten-Free Flour: For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Dairy-Free Butter & Chocolate: Use dairy-free butter and chocolate chunks for a dairy-free option.
• Mini Pretzels: If you can’t find pretzel twists, mini pretzels or pretzel chips work just as well.
• Vegan M&Ms: Choose vegan-friendly candies to make this a fully vegan treat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your Christmas Monster Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Then, fold in the oats.
Add the pretzels, chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, and 1 cup of M&Ms to the dough, mixing until evenly distributed.
Scoop out ¼ cup of dough and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart.

Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 2 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven, and immediately press extra M&Ms into the tops of each cookie.
Bake for an additional 2–3 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm for that perfect gooey texture, or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cookies

To make sure your Christmas Monster Cookies turn out just right, here are some helpful tips:

Avoid Overmixing: When mixing the dough, be sure not to overmix after adding the dry ingredients. This will ensure your cookies stay tender.
Don’t Skip the Resting: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes after baking. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from falling apart.

Adjust for Thicker Cookies: If you prefer thicker cookies, omit the additional egg yolk and use only two eggs in the dough. This will reduce the spread and give your cookies more height.
Store Leftovers Properly: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or you can freeze them for up to three months for a quick holiday treat any time.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

These Christmas Monster Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can take them to the next level with some fun pairings or variations:

• Pair with Hot Chocolate: These cookies are perfect alongside a warm cup of hot chocolate, making them the ultimate winter treat.
• Add More Spices: Spice up the flavor by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg for a little extra warmth.
• Gluten-Free Version: Simply swap out regular flour for a gluten-free blend to accommodate those with dietary restrictions.

Why These Cookies are Perfect for the Holidays

Christmas Monster Cookies are an ideal choice for any holiday celebration. The bright colors of the M&Ms add a festive touch, and the combination of salty pretzels and rich chocolate makes these cookies irresistible. They are quick to make and require no chilling time, so you can bake them last minute and still impress your guests. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or filling a cookie jar for gifts, these cookies will surely make the season brighter.

Conclusion

Christmas Monster Cookies are the perfect festive treat to add a touch of sweetness to your holiday season. With their crispy edges, gooey centers, and a delightful mix of chocolate, oats, and pretzels, these cookies will quickly become a holiday favorite in your household. They’re not only easy to make, but also offer the perfect balance of salty and sweet, making them ideal for gifting or sharing with loved ones. The combination of traditional cookie ingredients and holiday M&Ms ensures these cookies stand out in every cookie box. So, why not bake a batch today and enjoy the magic of Christmas in every bite?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Christmas Monster Cookies ahead of time?

Yes! These cookies are easy to store and can be made in advance. After baking, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Can I use different types of chocolate for this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate. If you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chunks, each variation will bring a unique flavor to the cookies. You can also mix in chocolate chips for a more uniform texture.

Why do the cookies spread so much while baking?

The spreading is actually part of what makes these cookies so delicious! However, if you’d prefer thicker cookies, you can omit the extra egg yolk and use just two eggs instead of three. This will help reduce the spreading and give you a taller cookie without losing any of the wonderful flavor and texture.

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Christmas Monster Cookies

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Author: Anna
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Christmas Monster Cookies are a festive, delicious treat featuring crispy edges, gooey centers, and a delightful blend of chocolate, oats, pretzels, and holiday M&Ms. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting to friends and family, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite.

Ingredients

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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup pretzel twists, broken into pieces
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup red and green holiday M&Ms

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the eggs and egg yolk, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Add the oats and mix in.
Fold in the pretzels, chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, and 1 cup of M&Ms.

Scoop out ¼ cup of dough and roll into balls. Place them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately press additional M&Ms into the tops of each cookie.
Bake for an additional 2–3 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are soft.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If you prefer thicker cookies, use only two eggs instead of three, omitting the extra egg yolk.
These cookies spread while baking, so make sure to leave enough space between them on the baking sheet.

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To enhance the M&Ms’ appearance, add a few extra candies on top of the cookies just before they finish baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American