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.

Christmas Monster Cookies – Best Holiday Treat

Name: Christmas Monster Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
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

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

Scale

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

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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