Picture this: you’re at a backyard barbecue, the grill’s smoking, and someone just set out a plate of cookies that look like they came straight from a bakery.
Except they’re red, white, and blue, packed with M&Ms and chocolate chips, and somehow even better than the classic version you remember from childhood.
That’s exactly what these 4th of July Monster Cookies are all about. They’re thick, chewy, and loaded with enough patriotic candy to make every bite feel like a celebration.
Best part? You don’t need a mixer, and the dough comes together in one bowl.
These cookies are the kind of thing people ask you to bring every year. They travel well, feed a crowd, and kids absolutely lose their minds over them.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These aren’t your average sugar cookies with some food coloring thrown in. Monster cookies have a secret weapon: peanut butter and oats, which give them this incredible chewy texture that stays soft for days.
The combination means they’re heartier than a regular cookie but still sweet enough to satisfy any dessert craving.
They’re also ridiculously forgiving. Cookie dough too thick? Add a splash of milk. Want more candy? Toss it in.
You can make the dough the night before and bake them fresh at the party, or bake them ahead and store them in an airtight container. Either way, they’ll disappear fast.
Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free if you use certified GF oats. No special flour blends required.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup red M&Ms
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup blue M&Ms
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra chocolate)
- 4Th Of July M&M’S Blend: Great for 4th of July celebrations and patriotic decorations, featuring a festive mix of red, white, and royal blue M&M’S with star-themed graphics
- Elevate Party Favors: Make 4th of July gatherings memorable with unique M&M’S for your party favors, candy jars, or colorful candy bags to delight guests at events and celebrations
- Sweets: These pre-printed M&M’S chocolate candies are ideal for gifting and serve as delightful keepsakes for the Fourth of July and other special occasions
- Versatile Decor Highlights: Enhance your party with M&M’S candy bulk as they are great for cake toppers, cookies, and 4th of July, and patriotic decorations during festive events
- Freshness: These M&M’S ship fresh and direct; store at room temperature to maintain quality and provide lasting enjoyment of your red, white, and royal blue candy
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer, or you can do it by hand with a wooden spoon if you’ve got the arm strength.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the oat mixture into the butter mixture and stir until just combined. The dough will be thick.
Fold in the red M&Ms, white chocolate chips, blue M&Ms, and chocolate chips (if using). Mix until the candy is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies spread a bit, so give them room.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. Don’t overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Print
4th of July Monster Cookies
These 4th of July Monster Cookies are thick, chewy, and loaded with red, white, and blue M&Ms.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: About 48 cookies 1x
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup red M&Ms
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup blue M&Ms
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra chocolate)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer, or you can do it by hand with a wooden spoon if you’ve got the arm strength.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the oat mixture into the butter mixture and stir until just combined. The dough will be thick.
- Fold in the red M&Ms, white chocolate chips, blue M&Ms, and chocolate chips (if using). Mix until the candy is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies spread a bit, so give them room.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. Don’t overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
