If there’s one cookie that perfectly captures the joy of the holiday season, it’s Christmas Monster Cookies. With gooey centers, crispy edges, pops of red and green from holiday M&M’s, and a salty crunch from pretzels, these cookies are as festive as they are flavorful. Whether you’re baking with family, preparing a cookie box, or just indulging in seasonal comfort, these Christmas Monster Cookies are a foolproof, no-chill treat that delivers both nostalgia and wow-factor. Best of all? They come together in under 40 minutes — holiday baking has never been easier.
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Why These Christmas Monster Cookies Are a Must-Bake
Christmas Monster Cookies bring together the best elements of your favorite bakes. They’re chewy and soft in the middle, with a crunchy outer edge — and that balance is what makes them irresistible. What really makes these stand out, though, is the medley of mix-ins: classic chocolate chunks, creamy white chocolate chips, festive M&M’s, and the surprise texture of crushed pretzels. These cookies are quick, customizable, and perfect for gifting.
Beyond their crave-worthy flavor, they’re made with pantry staples and don’t require any chilling — meaning you can go from craving to cookie in under an hour. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or cozy nights by the fire.
Festive and Flavorful Ingredients You’ll Need
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create that soft, chewy center
• Brown Sugar: Enhances the chewiness and adds a caramel depth
• Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with crispy edges
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth
• Eggs + Extra Yolk: Provides structure and makes the cookies soft and tender
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of the dough
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Leavening agents that ensure a soft yet thick cookie
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors
• Old-Fashioned Oats: Brings hearty texture and classic oatmeal cookie vibes
• Salted Pretzel Twists: Adds crunch and a salty contrast to the sweetness
• Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate Chunks: For pockets of rich, melted chocolate
• White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy sweetness to balance the bittersweet chocolate
• Red and Green Holiday M&M’s: For festive color and a candy crunch
Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions
If you need to customize your Christmas Monster Cookies, here are some great alternatives:
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend and gluten-free pretzels
• Dairy-Free: Swap in vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips
• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts instead of pretzels for a richer texture
• Less Sweet Option: Use dark chocolate chips and omit white chocolate if desired
• Other Candies: Try peanut butter M&M’s, crushed peppermint candies, or mini marshmallows for a twist
These variations still deliver that chewy, chunky magic we love in Christmas Monster Cookies.
How to Make the Perfect Christmas Monster Cookies
- Prep the Oven: Preheat to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs and one extra yolk, one at a time, until fully combined and fluffy.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Once incorporated, fold in the oats.
- Stir in the Good Stuff: Gently fold in M&M’s (reserve a few), pretzel pieces, chocolate chunks, and white chocolate chips.
- Form the Dough Balls: Scoop dough into ¼-cup portions. Space them 3 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
- Bake in Stages: Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake 2 minutes more. Add the remaining M&M’s on top, then bake another 2–3 minutes.
- Cool Slightly: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet — they’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Enjoy Warm: The best way to eat them is straight from the oven, when they’re at peak gooeyness.
These step-by-step instructions ensure your Christmas Monster Cookies come out bakery-quality every single time.
Expert Tips for Holiday Cookie Success
• Watch for Spread: These cookies naturally spread, so don’t crowd them on the tray.
• Chill-Free, But Optional: While chilling isn’t required, 15 minutes in the fridge can help control spread if your kitchen is warm.
• Make M&M’s Pop: For that signature holiday look, press extra M&M’s into the top of each cookie just before the final minutes of baking.
• Extra Thick Cookies?: Skip the additional yolk for a thicker, cakier result.
• Storage: Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
These tips help you avoid common mistakes and make your Christmas Monster Cookies the star of any dessert table.
Delicious Pairings and Festive Twists
Christmas Monster Cookies are super versatile and pair beautifully with:
• Hot Cocoa: Especially when spiked with cinnamon or peppermint
• Eggnog Latte: Balances the sweetness with warm spices
• Holiday Ice Cream: Sandwich two cookies with peppermint or vanilla bean ice cream
• Cookie Boxes: These cookies shine alongside classic sugar cookies, snowballs, and gingerbread
• Decorative Additions: Dip half in white chocolate and add sprinkles for an extra festive touch
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap flour and pretzels with certified gluten-free versions and follow the same instructions
• Spicy-Sweet Option: Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon for a subtle kick
With their adaptable base and crowd-pleasing flavor, Christmas Monster Cookies are the ultimate addition to any celebration.
The Perfect Edible Gift for the Holiday Season
The vibrant colors and layered textures of Christmas Monster Cookies make them an ideal edible gift. They pack well, stay fresh for days, and look just as impressive as they taste. From cookie boxes to bake sales to office potlucks, these cookies travel like champs and draw rave reviews from anyone who takes a bite.
Plus, they’re easy enough for kids to help with — making them a fun, family-friendly activity during the holidays.
So if you’re looking to start a new tradition or elevate your cookie exchange game, this is the recipe to bookmark. The festive colors, indulgent texture, and nostalgic mix-ins guarantee these Christmas Monster Cookies will be the first to disappear from any dessert tray.
Wrapping It All Up: Make Christmas Monster Cookies a New Tradition
Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, preparing a cozy movie night snack, or packing sweet treats for holiday gifting, Christmas Monster Cookies deliver everything you love about festive baking — joy, indulgence, and just the right amount of holiday sparkle. With their chewy centers, crispy edges, colorful candy pieces, and sweet-salty balance, these cookies are destined to become a family favorite.
Because they require no chilling and use everyday pantry staples, they’re the ideal last-minute recipe that still feels special. Bake a batch, share with friends and neighbors, and let Christmas Monster Cookies be part of your sweetest holiday memories.
FAQ: Christmas Monster Cookies
Can I make Christmas Monster Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. If baking from chilled, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before forming balls and baking. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Christmas Monster Cookies are designed to spread slightly to achieve that crispy edge and gooey center. If yours spread too much, check that you measured your flour correctly (a kitchen scale helps) and that your butter wasn’t too soft. You can also skip the extra yolk to reduce spread and yield a thicker cookie.
Can I freeze the dough for later?
Yes! Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a zip-top freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place on a tray and bake from frozen — just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
More Relevant Recipes
- Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies: These soft and chewy cookies are loaded with festive chocolate candies, making them a playful and colorful dessert much like Christmas Monster Cookies. They’re perfect for seasonal celebrations and cookie swaps.
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting: If you’re looking for a soft, spiced alternative to Christmas Monster Cookies, these frosted pumpkin cookies offer cozy fall flavors and a fluffy texture that’s equally irresistible during the holiday season.
- Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-o’-Lantern Cookies: These decorative, chocolate-filled cookies combine visual charm with rich flavor, making them a delightful counterpart to Monster Cookies, especially for those who love fun, themed treats.
Christmas Monster Cookies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Monster Cookies are festive, chewy, and bursting with chocolate, oats, pretzels, and holiday M&M’s. They’re easy to make, no-chill, and perfect for gifting, parties, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: adds richness and chewy texture
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: deepens flavor and promotes chewiness
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: provides sweetness and crisp edges
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: enhances flavor
- 2 large eggs: binds the dough and adds moisture
- 1 large egg yolk: creates a soft and tender texture
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: base for structure
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: helps cookies rise and spread properly
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: supports light texture
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: balances sweetness and enhances flavors
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats: adds hearty texture and flavor
- 1 1/2 cups holiday M&M’s (divided): festive color and chocolate crunch
- 1 cup mini salted pretzel twists, broken into pieces: adds crunch and salty contrast
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks: provides rich chocolate flavor
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips: adds creamy sweetness
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and extra yolk one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the oats until evenly distributed.
- Fold in 1 cup of M&M’s, the crushed pretzels, chocolate chunks, and white chocolate chips.
- Form the dough into 1/4 cup-sized balls and place them 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 minutes, rotate the pan, and bake for another 2 minutes.
- Press remaining M&M’s onto the tops of the cookies and bake for an additional 2–3 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly while resting.
- Enjoy warm or cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, omit the extra egg yolk and use only two eggs.
- To enhance the appearance, press extra M&M’s onto the cookies just before finishing the bake.
- These cookies freeze well—both baked and as dough balls.
- Do not overbake; cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 364
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg