Get ready for a fun treat with these Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies! Packed with oats, M&Ms, and chocolate chips, they’re colorful and chewy—perfect for the holiday!
These cookies are definitely a crowd-pleaser! I love making a big batch and sharing with friends. Just remember, you can’t eat just one—so be prepared to share or not! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using salted butter adds a great flavor to these cookies! If you’re trying to cut back on sodium, unsalted butter works too—just add a pinch of salt to balance it out.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter gives the cookies a nice texture. If you have nut allergies, try using sunflower seed butter as a tasty alternative.
Oats: Old-fashioned oats are best for a chewy texture. If you have quick oats, those can work in a pinch, but they may change the texture slightly.
M&M’s: The red, white, and blue M&M’s add a festive touch for the 4th of July! Feel free to use standard M&M’s or chocolate chips if you can’t find the colored ones.
Mini Marshmallows: These add fun sweetness! If you want to skip them, you can use more chocolate chips instead.
How Can I Ensure My Cookies Have the Right Texture?
Getting the texture just right is key for these Monster Cookies. The trick is to mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. Also, remember not to bake them too long—take them out when the edges are just golden. They’ll continue to set outside the oven, giving you that soft and chewy center!
- Use a medium scoop for even cookie sizes—about 2 tablespoons of dough each.
- Give them space on the baking sheet to spread; about 2 inches apart is ideal.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes for perfect handling!
Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups red, white, and blue M&M’s candies
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun and festive cookie recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 10-12 minutes to bake each batch. Overall, you’ll be looking at about 40 minutes from start to finish, including cooling time. Perfect for preparing ahead of your 4th of July celebrations!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, you can prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This helps the cookies not stick!
2. Creaming the Butters and Sugars:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened salted butter and creamy peanut butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Adding Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Once the eggs are mixed in, add the vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
4. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these together helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
5. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix—this will help keep your cookies soft and chewy!
6. Adding Festive Treats:
Now it’s time to fold in the red, white, and blue M&M’s, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Make sure all the goodies are well distributed throughout the dough.
7. Scooping the Cookies:
Using a large spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
8. Decorating (Optional):
If you want, you can gently press a few extra M&M’s and some sprinkles on top of each cookie for an extra festive touch!
9. Baking the Cookies:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll want them to be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
10. Cooling:
Once done, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This makes them easier to handle. After that, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely!
11. Enjoy!
These easy and festive Monster Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Perfect for sharing at your Independence Day celebrations—get ready for some compliments!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum, as it helps with the texture and binding.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough! Just scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from the freezer—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What Other Mix-Ins Can I Use?
Feel free to get creative with add-ins! You can use chopped nuts, different types of chocolate chips, or even dried fruits. Just keep the overall quantity about the same to maintain the cookie’s texture.
