Name: Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened); 1/2 cup Brown Sugar; 1/2 cup Sugar; 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter (like Skippy's or Jif); 1 large Egg; 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 3/4 cup Rolled Oats; 1 cup Flour; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 3/4 cup Chocolate Chips; 1 cup Red and Green Holiday M&M's (divided: 3/4 cup in dough, 1/4 cup for topping)

There's something utterly joyful about a cookie bursting with color, texture, and that perfect peanut butter punch — that's exactly why I want to share my Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe with you. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with festive M&Ms that make each bite feel like a holiday celebration. Trust me, your kitchen will smell incredible, and your friends and family will thank you for making these.

Six round cookies are placed on a gold wire rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown base with a soft, slightly cracked texture and is dotted with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly on top. One cookie near the bottom center also shows dark brown chocolate chips partly covered by the candies. A bright red ribbon is partly visible in the lower right corner, adding a festive touch. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe has become a staple in my holiday baking because it’s just so versatile and endlessly delicious. I love how easy it is to throw together, even when holiday chaos is at its peak, and the way the M&Ms and chocolate chips add that playful burst of sweetness and color that’s so festive!

Joyful Color and Flavor: The red and green M&Ms not only make these cookies look festive but add a pleasant crunch and sweetness that kids and adults adore.
Perfect Texture: Thanks to the rolled oats and peanut butter, you get a chewy, hearty cookie with just the right amount of softness.
Super Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these staples in your pantry already, which makes last-minute baking a breeze.
Customizable: Whether you swap out M&Ms for other candies or tweak the mix-ins, this recipe invites you to put your own spin on it.

Nine round cookies sit on a gold wire cooling rack that is placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light brown and studded with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces throughout the dough, giving a festive look. To the top left, a copper bowl is filled with more red and green candies. Decorative elements include a red and white striped ornament on the left, some green pine branches on the top right, and red and green soft ribbon loops partially visible at the bottom right. The scene feels bright and cheerful, perfect for a holiday treat photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe comes from a harmonious blend of sweet, nutty, and chewy ingredients that balance each other beautifully. Plus, choosing quality ingredients truly elevates your cookies.

Flat lay of a small pat of unsalted butter with a silky texture, a neatly packed mound of light brown sugar, a small heap of fine white granulated sugar, a dollop of creamy peanut butter with smooth swirls, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vanilla extract, a small pile of rolled oats with flaky texture, a neat mound of fine white flour, a tiny spoonful of baking soda powder, a pinch of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding red and green candy-coated M&M's, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy creaming, butter adds a rich flavor and helps create that tender crumb we all want in a cookie.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel undertone to balance the sweetness.
Sugar: Gives a bit of crispness and sweetness to each bite.
Creamy Peanut Butter: This is the star for flavor and chewiness — use your favorite brand for best results.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps with the cookie’s structure.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth to the dough.
Rolled Oats: Provide chew and a rustic texture, making the cookie hearty and satisfying.
Flour: The base of the cookie that works with the leavening to give the right rise and texture.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread properly and become light and fluffy.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor.
Red and Green Holiday M&Ms: These add festive color, a sweet crunch, and chocolate bursts in every bite.
Chocolate Chips: For melty pockets of chocolate that make these cookies extra indulgent.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is how much room there is to personalize. Over the years, I've tweaked it with different mix-ins and even switched oats for something else when I’m in a pinch.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the rolled oats for quick oats — the texture was slightly different but still delicious and faster when I was in a hurry. You can also try white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a twist.
Dietary Modifications: If peanut butter isn’t your thing, try almond butter for a slightly milder flavor. Just make sure it’s creamy to keep that lovely texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

I start by creaming the softened butter with both brown sugar and white sugar. This usually takes about 4 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed. You’ll want it light and fluffy — that'll give your cookies the perfect texture and keep them from turning flat and greasy.

Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, I beat in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract for about a minute. This step helps meld the flavors, and I always make sure my egg is at room temperature to keep the dough smooth.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Mix-Ins

Now we fold in the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt — just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Then I gently fold in the chocolate chips and most of the M&Ms, saving some to press on top after baking for that pretty holiday look.

Step 4: Chill the Dough and Bake

I always wrap the dough tightly and chill it for about 30 minutes. This step helps prevent spreading and keeps the texture chewy. Then I preheat the oven to 365°F, scoop the dough onto a light-colored baking sheet spaced about two inches apart, and bake for 9-10 minutes. Right out of the oven, I press the remaining M&Ms on top and let the cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack.

Top Tip

From my experience, a little patience with chilling the dough truly makes a world of difference. I used to skip this, and my cookies would spread too thin and get too crisp around the edges. Now, with these simple tips, your Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe will come out just right every time.

Chilling Is Key: Cool dough means less spread — your cookies stay thick and chewy.
Use Light-Colored Baking Sheets: Dark pans can cause the bottoms to brown too quickly; light sheets give even baking.
Scoop Consistently: I use a cookie scoop to keep sizes uniform so they bake evenly.
Add M&Ms Right After Baking: Pressing them in when hot keeps their color vibrant and prevents cracking.

How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Christmas Monster Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a fan of keeping it simple here — sometimes I add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for a sweet-salty surprise, but usually, the festive M&Ms are enough to make these cookies shine on their own.

Side Dishes

Pair these monster cookies with a cold glass of milk (classic for a reason!), hot cocoa, or even a cup of coffee for grown-up gatherings. I've found they’re a perfect match with rich, creamy drinks that balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

During holiday parties, I love arranging these cookies on a tiered platter alongside some peppermint sticks and small bowls of extra M&Ms for guests to decorate their own cookies. It’s always a hit and adds a fun interactive element to the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I find they stay fresh and chewy for about three days — if they last that long, that is!

Freezing

These cookies freeze surprisingly well. I portion them into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and freeze them for up to two months. When I want a treat, I just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit — it’s almost like fresh-baked.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up, I pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This softly melts the chocolate chips and M&Ms inside without turning the cookie soggy. Perfect little indulgence on a chilly day!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make these Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and make sure you use dairy-free chocolate chips and M&Ms. The texture will be just as delightful.

What kind of peanut butter works best?

I recommend using creamy peanut butter for the best texture and flavor balance in these monster cookies. Chunky can make the dough harder to mix and might create uneven textures. Also, natural peanut butter with oil separation can be used, but just give it a good stir first.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes, quick oats can be used as a substitute, though the texture will be slightly less chewy and more uniform. Quick oats absorb moisture faster, so keep an eye on the dough’s consistency. I've used quick oats when in a pinch and it worked well.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

The key is chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking and using a light-colored baking sheet for even heat. Also, be sure not to over-cream the butter and sugar, as this can add too much air and cause spreading. Scooping the dough with consistent-sized portions also helps maintain shape.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe have been one of my personal favorites to bake and share during the holidays. They're joyful, comforting, and always bring a smile to the table. I hope you give them a try and create your own memories with these colorful, chewy delights — because baking is all about sharing love (and cookies) with those who matter most!