Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable)
Chewy oat and peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips and red-white-blue candies for festive gatherings.
# What You'll 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 and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
03 - Mix in creamy peanut butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
06 - Carefully fold in the chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound two inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The surprise crunch of mini pretzels and pop of chocolate in every bite is pure joy nobody expects.
- Bright, patriotic colors make these a showstopper at summer gatherings, and they never last more than a few minutes.
02 -
- Bake time is everything—just one minute too long and you lose that soft center I obsessed over perfecting.
- Crushing pretzels TOO fine makes them disappear in the dough; a gentle hand leaves the best crunch.
03 -
- Let eggs warm to room temperature for easier mixing and extra fluffiness.
- Always reserve a few candies to press on top—your cookies will look bakery-worthy, no matter how casual the setting.