These fun 4th of July monster cookies are a blast! Packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for the holiday celebration.
Every bite is like a party in your mouth! I love making these with the kids—it’s a creative way to get everyone involved. Just remember, it’s okay to sneak a cookie before they’re even done! 😄
Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter is best, as it gives you control over the salt in the recipe. If you’re dairy-free, try coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute for a similar texture.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works wonders for texture. If you prefer, you can swap it for almond butter or sun butter, especially for nut allergy concerns.
M&Ms: For a fun festive touch, red, white, and blue M&Ms are perfect! If they’re not available, any colorful candy-coated chocolate will do, or use plain chocolate chips for a simpler version.
Oats: Quick oats give these cookies a softer texture. If you have rolled oats on hand, you can use them, but chop them a bit to ensure a similar consistency.
How Do I Ensure My Cookies Are Soft and Chewy?
To achieve that perfect soft and chewy texture, don’t overbake the cookies. They should be golden around the edges but still soft in the middle when you take them out of the oven.
- Always preheat your oven; this helps them bake evenly.
- Pay attention to baking time; it’s better to underbake them slightly since they’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before moving them. This helps them set without becoming too hard.
Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 cup red, white, and blue M&Ms (or candy-coated chocolate)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles for garnish
Time Needed
This delightful cookie recipe takes about 20 minutes for prep and another 10-12 minutes for baking. Overall, you’ll need roughly 30-35 minutes to whip up these festive monster cookies, plus some time for cooling!
Instructions
1. Prepare to Bake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and creamy peanut butter together until everything is creamy and well blended. This may take a couple of minutes, but it’s worth it!
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time to your mixture, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract to add some lovely flavor.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything gets evenly mixed in!
5. Mix It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. You don’t want to overmix it!
6. Stir in the Goodies
Now it’s time to add the fun part! Stir in the quick oats, red, white, and blue M&Ms, semisweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips if you’re using them. Fold them in gently until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Portion the Cookies
Drop large spoonfuls of dough, about 2 tablespoons each, onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow room for spreading.
8. Festive Touch
Press a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top of each cookie for that festive 4th of July look!
9. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the oven for about 10-12 minutes. Look for them to be lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center—it’s okay if they look a little underbaked; they’ll firm up as they cool.
10. Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set nicely!
11. Serve Up Some Fun
Once cooled, serve these colorful and chewy 4th of July monster cookies, and enjoy them with friends and family at your celebration!
These cookies are a delightful blend of classic monster cookie flavors with a festive twist, making them perfect for Independence Day festivities. Enjoy every delicious bite!
FAQ About Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Can I Use a Different Type of Nut Butter?
Absolutely! If you prefer almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter, feel free to substitute them for peanut butter. Just note that the flavor and texture may change slightly.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, scoop and bake as directed—there’s no need to let it come to room temperature first!
What If I Don’t Have Quick Oats?
If you only have rolled oats, you can use those instead! Just give them a quick chop in a food processor to achieve a finer texture, which will help mimic the quick oats in this recipe.
