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Christmas Monster Cookies for your December weekend baking…festive, easy, and sweet. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, made with oats, pretzels pieces, plenty of chocolate chunks, white chocolate, and plenty of holiday M&M’s. There’s nothing not to love about these sweet chocolate (crunch) cookies. Each bite is slightly crisp on the edges but soft and gooey in the center…with just a little salty pretzel crunch and milk chocolate throughout.
Fridays in December are just better! There are holiday parties, searching for the perfect gift for someone you love, and baking the nights away with family and friends. Well, at least that’s the “Hallmark” version I have in my head.
The reality is a little less picture-perfect for sure, but I’m definitely doing the baking! It’s one of the reasons we love this season the most. I mean there are so many cookies! As I said on Tuesday, this year I’m really focusing on all of the holiday cookies I haven’t made before.
My list of cookies is a mile long, but I only have a handful of days to share them. So, I’m trying to pick the very best on my list. It’s tricky, but I always knew these cookies needed to be shared. The combination of ingredients is just too good.
The steps are easy
One: gather your ingredients. You’ll need the basics…butter, sugar, flour, etc. Simple, simple, nothing fancy, but all good.
Two: the stir-ins, they’re are the most important part. You’ll need old fashioned oats, salted pretzel twists, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks, and white chocolate chips. And then plenty of red and green holiday M&M’s, which really make these cookies.
Three: beat, mix, stir, bake.
Four: eat these cookies warm, just out of the oven, because these are those kind of gooey delicious cookies.
A couple notes
It’s important to note that these cookies do spread. They’re meant to have slightly crisp edges and perfectly soft gooey centers, just like in the photos. My favorite type of cookie…totally delicious.
If you want a bit of a thicker cookie, simply omit the additional egg yolk and use only two eggs. This will give you a thicker cookie without as much spreading.
To get the M&M’s to really pop, I like to add in a few just before the cookies finish baking completely. This way each cookie has a bit of the festive M&M’s right on top.
What I love about these cookies is that they’re so easy to make. They require no chilling and they really are completely no fuss. Especially when it comes to Christmas cookies.
These cookies have perfectly crisp edges, yet soft and gooey centers. They’ve got a nice crunch plus a little saltiness from the pretzels – the best kind of cookie.
I’m excited to include these in the year’s Christmas cookie box. They’re perfect for packing up and gifting to friends for the holidays!
Looking for other Christmas cookies? Here are my favorites:
Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies
Easy Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Lastly, if you make these Christmas Monster Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Christmas Monster Cookies
Servings: 20 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 364 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 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
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the eggs and 1 egg yolk, 1 at a time, until combined. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Beat in the oats. 3. Fold in 1 cup of the M&M's, the pretzels, chocolate chips, and white chocolate. 4. Roll the dough into 1/4 cup size balls. Place 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. 5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake another 2 minutes. Pull the pan out and push the remaining M&M's into the cookies. Bake 2-3 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they sit on the baking sheet. 6. Eat warm (highly recommended) or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
These cookies are fantastic! Going to make them for the third Christmas this year. Thank you for posting!
Thanks sooo much! Love to hear that this recipe was a success! xT
Made these last Christmas and getting ready for a repeat after all 3 of our boys & their significant others LOVED them!
Thanks for an easy and delicious new cookie to add to our family tradition!
Thanks so much Kerry! xT
So fun and festive! They turned out perfectly (only used 2 eggs) and they taste good too!
Thanks so much Suzy! xT
Ok to sub light brown sugar, unsalted butter & quick oats?
Hi Beth! You could definitely use the light brown sugar and unsalted butter, but the quick oats might not work out as well! The old fashioned oats really give them that yummy chewiness! xT
Hi! I’ve made these a few times, but when I made them last year, for some reason my pretzels turned out a bit chewy after the cookies were baked (even when fully cooled). Is there a way to avoid this? Thanks!
Hey, Tieghan! I am so excited to bake these; they’ve been on my list for a while. Do you have any tips to prevent cakeiness and under-spreading in these cookies? I made the Halloween monster cookies, and they were delicious, but a little cakey and didn’t spread much.
I appreciate you so much!
-Allie
Hi Allie! I would maybe add a little less flour if you’re wanting them less cakey! xT
Hi:) How necessary are the oats to this recipe? Would it be possible to be leave them out or substitute something else instead? Can’t wait to try this recipe with my family!
Hi Maria,
You can try adding 1/4 cup of flour in place of the oats, just an fyi I have not tested this! Let me know how the recipe turns out for you! xx
Can these be kept longer than 4 days?
Hi Fran,
These are best enjoyed in 4 days:) Happy Thanksgiving! xx
Teighan! These are a fan favorite. I’m going to make this for Christmas again this year but wondering if you have ever tried to freeze the dough? What do you recommend?
Hi Macy,
Love to hear that you’ve enjoyed these cookies! Yes, you could totally freeze the dough, I would probably add the pretzels after thawing so they aren’t soggy. I hope this helps! xx
Can you freeze them once you bake them
You bet!
I make these year round and sometimes multiple times a month🤭 These are AMAZING! I like to add peanut butter chips for a fun twist and it adds the perfect hint of pb flavor! These have been my favorite cookies for the past few years now. Half baked harvest never fails!
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! xT
Have loved this recipe for many events! Want to make for a fundraiser bake sale…can these be frozen?
Yes, you can definitely freeze them! xT
Dude. These cookies are incredible.
Hey Caitlin,
Amazing!! Thank you so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
These are definitely delicious. I switch out the chocolate chips for mini chips and also use chocolate chunks. I often use peanut butter chips in lieu of the white chocolate. Or chopped up mini Reese’s. I will change out the m & m’s for the holiday. Fourth of July makes some adorable cookies. So many options with this recipe. I also sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while baking. My kids love them.
Hey Shawn,
Love it!!🍪🍦 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review!! xx
Do you have to add in the pretzels? What can be used in place of them?
These are mine and my family’s favorite cookies! I make them every season, just change the color of the M&M’s and bam, you have the perfect festive cookies for any holiday. My favorite part is the variability: I have made them with all different kinds of chocolate chips and mix-ins, depending on what I have and the preference of my audience. Love love love these cookies. Thank you, Tieghan!
Hey Amanda,
Happy Wednesday!! 🍉🍓 Thanks a bunch for making this recipe so often, I’m so glad to hear that it always turns out well for you! xT
Rare to see a recipe use salted butter AND salt. Do you find that they get too salty? Does it matter what brand of butter I use?
Hi Elizabeth,
Nope, I wouldn’t share if it’s too salty:) I always use salted butter I find it add so much flavor! Any brand you like is great:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT