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; 1 cup Red and Green Holiday M&M's (divided: 3/4 cup for dough, 1/4 cup for topping); 3/4 cup Chocolate Chips

There’s just something so festive and fun about biting into a chewy, colorful cookie that shouts holiday cheer. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share my Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe—it’s a showstopper for any cookie platter and unbelievably easy to make!

Six round cookies are placed on a gold cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown dough base with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered on top and partially embedded, making the surface colorful and textured. Some candies have a small white

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

I honestly can’t get enough of these cookies during the holidays. The mix of peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and festive M&Ms creates a flavor and texture combo that’s irresistible. Plus, they come together pretty quickly, even on a busy day.

Flavor-packed: The peanut butter and chocolate create a classic, comforting taste that everyone loves.
Festive M&Ms: Those red and green candies not only add color but a fun crunch that feels like a party in each bite.
Chewy & soft texture: Thanks to the oats and careful baking time, these cookies stay perfectly chewy instead of drying out.
Easy prep: Minimal steps and no fancy equipment—just straightforward mixing and baking.

There are eight round cookies placed on a golden wire cooling rack over a white marbled texture. Each cookie is light brown with a rough surface and is decorated with red and green candy pieces scattered on top, some of the candies showing a small white

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe has its part to play. Together, they balance sweetness, texture, and that holiday vibe.

Flat lay of a small pile of softened unsalted butter, a mound of brown sugar, a mound of white sugar, a dollop of creamy peanut butter, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small pile of rolled oats, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with baking soda powder, a small white bowl with salt, a scattering of red and green holiday M&M's, and a scattering of semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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 butter creamed with sugar gives the cookie that rich, tender crumb and helps with proper spreading.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that deepens cookie flavor.
Sugar: For sweetness and a little crunchy texture in the bite.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The star that brings warmth and that classic “monster cookie” taste.
Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to softness.
Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that brings out the nutty notes.
Rolled Oats: Adds chew and a hearty texture that makes every bite satisfying.
Flour: The structure for the cookies. I always opt for all-purpose here.
Baking Soda: Helps with rise and spread, giving a nice balance between cakey and chewy.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out other flavors.
Red and Green Holiday M&Ms: They create that iconic festive look and provide little pops of chocolate.
Chocolate Chips: Melty chocolate chunks that mix beautifully with the M&Ms for extra indulgence.

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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

I love playing around with this cookie dough—sometimes swapping the M&Ms for colorful chocolate candies or stirring in a handful of chopped nuts. You can easily adapt this recipe to whatever you have on hand.

Variation: One year, I added a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy spice twist, and it was an instant hit with family.
Dietary Adjustments: Use gluten-free flour and oats for a gluten-free batch that doesn’t disappoint.
Extra Crunch: Toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans to add another layer of texture.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butters and Sugars

Start by beating together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and sugar for about 4 minutes. This step is key to getting light, fluffy cookies. I use my stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works just as well. You’ll notice the mixture turn pale and smooth—that’s your green light to move on!

Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Mix in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat everything just about a minute longer to fully combine. Peanut butter makes the dough richer and adds that unmistakable flavor.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients Plus Chocolates

Next, stir in the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt until the dough just comes together. Don’t overmix here to keep the cookies tender. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips and most of the M&Ms, saving a handful for topping later. This layering ensures colorful candy pieces peek through after baking.

Step 4: Chill the Dough and Bake

Wrap the dough tightly and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This resting step helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. When ready, preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). Scoop the dough onto a light-colored baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes.

Step 5: Add M&Ms and Cool

As soon as the cookies come out, gently press the reserved M&Ms into the tops to brighten them up. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This little extra step makes them look irresistible!

Top Tip

From my experience baking Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe, timing and chilling are the game-changers. These simple tips really changed my cookie game for the better.

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling—this helps control spread and ensures your cookies stay thick and chewy.
Use a Light Baking Sheet: Dark pans absorb more heat and can turn the bottoms too dark before the centers are done.
Don’t Overbake: Pull your cookies out when the edges are set but centers still look soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Press M&Ms on Hot Cookies: Adding leftover candies right out of the oven keeps them glossy and prevents cracking.

How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Christmas Monster Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of a few cookies for contrast—it enhances the sweetness in such a subtle, sophisticated way. Sometimes, I dust a few with powdered sugar for a snowy, festive look if it’s close to Christmas morning.

Side Dishes

Pairs perfectly with a glass of cold milk (my go-to), hot cocoa, or even a warming cup of spiced tea. At holiday gatherings, I often set these alongside peppermint bark and gingerbread for a cookie buffet that dazzles.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve tried stacking these cookies tied with rustic twine or placing them in decorative holiday tins lined with parchment paper. For cookie exchanges, I arrange them on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh pine and cranberries for an extra special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep mine in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and chewy for about 3 days. If you want to stretch that, place a slice of bread inside the container—the moisture helps keep them fresh longer.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. I lay them flat on a baking sheet first to freeze individually, then transfer to a gallon-sized freezer bag. They last up to two months, which is perfect for prepping early before holiday parties.

Reheating

To enjoy thawed cookies almost like fresh-baked, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 4-5 minutes. This revives their softness and slightly melts the chocolate again—pure bliss.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can, but creamy peanut butter works best because it blends smoothly into the dough, giving a consistent texture. Crunchy peanut butter will add bits of nuts, which some people love, but it may slightly change the cookie's softness.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make a vegan version, swap butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Just be aware the texture might be slightly different but still delicious!

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, resulting in thicker and chewier cookies. It also allows the flavors to meld better.

What’s the best way to prevent M&Ms from cracking in the oven?

Pressing most of the M&Ms into the dough before baking and then adding the reserved M&Ms on top right after the cookies come out of the oven helps keep them intact and glossy without cracking.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe are truly one of my all-time favorite holiday treats. They’re cheerful, comforting, and always bring a smile when shared. Whether you tuck them into gift bags or enjoy with loved ones by the fire, they’ve got that perfect mix of easy and special. Go ahead, bake a batch—you won’t regret it!