Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable)

Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies studded with chocolate chips and 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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
03 - Add the peanut butter to the butter mixture, then mix in eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, beating at low speed until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in the chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and crushed mini pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, placing each portion two inches apart to allow for spreading.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers appear soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Nobody ever expects a classic cookie to feel like a party on a plate—but these pull it off.
  • The chewy edges and bits of salty pretzel mean each bite has a surprise waiting for you.
02 -
  • If you overmix after adding the oats, your cookies lose their chewy personality and get tough.
  • Underbaking just a touch and letting them rest on the hot tray makes the centers perfectly gooey.
03 -
  • If your dough seems dry, add a spoonful more peanut butter instead of milk for richness.
  • Don’t skip pressing a few candies on top before baking—it makes them look extra celebratory and irresistible.

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