If you love M&Ms, then this monster cookies recipe is perfect for you! They’re chewy, soft, and packed full of texture, with nuts, M&M candies, and raisins in every single bite. These cookies are essentially the perfect mix of chewy raisin and nut cookies and your favorite chocolate chip cookies but with an M&M twist.
Monster Cookies are essentially a chocolate lover’s dream, packed with a combination of milk chocolate chips and M&Ms. But that’s not all – they’re also perfect for anyone who loves chewy, soft cookies since they have that classic texture that perfectly balances the sweetness.
And if you love cookies like these, you will love these chocolate chocolate chip cookies that have the perfect chocolate base, these big chocolate chip cookies that are perfectly chewy and large enough to satisfy your cravings, or cowboy cookies that have many similar ingredients like the recipe I’m about to share with you today.
This recipe was found among my purchased recipes from antique stores. The handwritten note not only includes the recipe but notes on how long to bake and also how big the cookies are. These little details are so helpful in vintage recipes like this one!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: This monster cookies recipe is incredibly easy to make. With straightforward instructions and common ingredients like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and brown sugar, you’ll have a batch of delicious cookies in no time!
- Quick: From prep time to total time, baking these cookies is a quick process. Just combine the ingredients, spoon the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet, and bake in the oven. In just about half an hour, you’ve got a treat ready to enjoy.
- Family-favorite: Packed full of flavor and texture with a blend of M&Ms, raisins, and coarsely chopped peanuts, these cookies are loved by both kids and adults alike. The chewiness of the cookies and the crunch from the peanuts make them a hit in any household.
- Delicious: Let’s not forget about the taste! These monster cookies are a perfect blend of sweet, chewy, and salty, with the M&Ms, raisins, and salted peanuts creating a delightful balance of flavors.
- Crowd pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to treat your family, these cookies never fail to impress. Each cookie is loaded with chocolate, raisins, and nuts, making them a satisfying and delicious treat that everyone will love.
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Key Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour: This is the foundation of the cookie, providing structure and body to your monster cookies.
- Cocoa Powder: This ingredient gives a deep, rich chocolate flavor to your cookie recipes.
- Baking Soda: This will help your cookies rise and achieve a beautiful texture. It also promotes browning, enhancing the overall flavor of the cookies.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and other flavors in your cookies. It also helps control the fermentation rate of the dough.
- Butter: This fat gives the cookie a rich, buttery flavor and a tender crumb. It also helps to give your cookies a nice golden color.
- Shortening: This ingredient is used to create a softer, more tender cookie. It also helps the cookies spread less while baking.
- Brown Sugar: This sweetener gives your cookies a deep, caramel-like flavor and contributes to their chewiness. Packed brown sugar will give your cookies a moist texture.
- Large eggs: These act as a binding agent, holding all the ingredients together. Make sure they are at room temperature so they incorporate more easily into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: This adds a sweet, creamy flavor that enhances the taste of the other ingredients.
- M&Ms: These candies add a pop of color and a sweet chocolate crunch to your cookies to make them truly delicious.
- Seedless Raisins: These add a natural sweetness and chewy texture to the cookies.
- Salted Peanuts: They add a crunchy texture and a salty balance to the sweetness of the cookies. Coarsely chopped peanuts will provide more texture.
Equipment
- Half Pan Baking Sheet – You’ll need this to bake your cookies. Make sure to space your cookie dough balls at least three inches apart to give them room to spread as they bake.
- Large Mixing Bowls – You’ll need this to combine your dry ingredients like flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. A separate one is also necessary to cream together the butter, shortening, and brown sugar.
- Stand Mixer or Handheld Mixer – This is for beating together the softened butter, shortening, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can also use it to mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Measuring Cup – Precision is key in baking. Use a measuring cup to accurately measure out your ingredients, including using it as a scoop for your cookie dough.
- Wire Rack – After baking, you’ll need to let your cookies cool for a bit. Transferring them to a wire rack allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soggy as they cool.
How to Make
Preparation
To get started, preheat your oven to a temperature of 350˚ F. This will ensure the oven is ready by the time your cookie dough is done.
Step 1 – Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients. These include your purpose flour, a hint of cocoa for a bit of chocolatey goodness, the essential baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Give these a good mix until they’re well combined and then set your bowl aside for now.
Step 2 – Cream the Butter and Sugar
Next, take a separate bowl and beat together your softened butter, shortening, and brown sugar. Keep at it until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take around two minutes.
Step 3 – Add the Eggs and Vanilla Extract and Dry Ingredients
Now it is time to add some additional flavor and texture to your cookie dough. Crack in your eggs, and pour in your vanilla extract. Make sure to mix well to distribute these ingredients evenly throughout your mixture. After mixed, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients to form a thick batter.
Step 4 – Add in the Goodies
Here comes the fun part! Stir in your M&Ms, raisins, and peanuts. These will add a burst of flavor and a delicious crunch to your cookies.
Step 5 – Shape and Bake
Using a quarter measuring cup, scoop out your cookie dough and place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten your cookie dough balls slightly and make sure to space them at least three inches apart. This will give them plenty of room to spread as they bake. Pop your cookies into the oven and bake for around 13-15 minutes.
Step 6 – Cool and Serve
Patience is a virtue, especially in baking! Once your cookies are golden and ready, let them cool for two minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help make sure that they keep their shape and don’t crumble. And there you have it, the best monster cookies ready to eat. Enjoy!
Expert Tip
- Don’t Overbake: Be sure to check your cookies a few minutes before the end of the suggested baking time. They should be softly set when removed from the oven and will firm up as they cool. If this is your first time making this recipe, test the baking time by baking only one cookie and letting it cool.
Variations
- Try it Fluffier: If you prefer your cookies with a softer, fluffier texture, this variation is for you. Simply add an extra quarter cup of all-purpose flour to the cookie dough. This will give your monster cookies a lighter texture while still maintaining their delightful chewiness.
- Double the M&Ms: For chocolate lovers, this variation is a must-try. Double the amount of M&Ms in the recipe and omit the raisins. This will result in a cookie that’s packed full of melty chocolate chips, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. You can even add some semi-sweet chocolate chips and mini M&Ms to your cookie dough.
- Omit the Nuts: If you’re not a fan of peanuts, or if you’re baking for someone with a nut allergy, you can easily leave out the chopped peanuts. The cookies will still have plenty of texture from the M&Ms and raisins, and you won’t miss the nuts. Consider replacing them with other mix-ins you like.
- Make Giant Cookies: You can also make giant monster cookies, much like my big chocolate chip cookies, by baking them twice as big. Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake as they may need more time in the oven if you choose to make them big.
What to Serve With
- Start your day with a bang by pairing these monster cookies with a steaming cup of coffee. The rich flavor of the coffee compliments the sweetness and chewiness of the cookies, setting you up for a great day ahead.
- Want to elevate your dessert game? Serve these monster cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of the cold, creamy ice cream and warm, chewy cookies is a match made in heaven.
- For a late-night indulgence, warm up these monster cookies in the oven for a few minutes and serve with a glass of cold milk. The contrast in temperatures and the comforting flavors will make for a satisfying end to your day.
- These monster cookies also make a great on-the-go snack. Just pack them in a zip-lock bag and enjoy as you rush to your next appointment or during a quick break at work. They’re packed full of texture and flavor, promising a delightful experience with every bite.
FAQs
Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure to choose a blend that’s meant for baking, as some blends may alter the taste and texture of the cookies.
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter in this recipe. It may alter the flavor slightly, but it will still give you a delicious, peanut-buttery taste.
The secret to achieving the right chewiness for these monster cookies is not to overbake them. Check them a few minutes before the end of the suggested baking time. They should be softly set when removed from the oven.
Absolutely! You can substitute the M&Ms with milk chocolate chips if you prefer. This may slightly change the flavor of the cookies, but they’ll still be delicious.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: To maintain the chewiness and flavor of your monster cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also store these cookies in the fridge in a sealed container, but remember to bring them to room temperature before enjoying them.
- Freeze: These baked cookies freeze beautifully. To freeze, simply place your baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them into a zip-top bag or a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen monster cookies, let them thaw at room temperature on a wire rack. This guarantees that the texture remains consistent throughout.
- Reheating: While monster cookies are best enjoyed fresh, you can reheat them in the oven. Preheat your oven to a low temperature and place the cookies on a baking sheet. Watch them closely and remove them when they’re warmed through, usually in just a few minutes.
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This monster cookies recipe will give you a dozen delicious cookies.
- How to Scale: If you want to make more than the standard batch, you can double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Make sure your large mixing bowl is big enough to accommodate the increased quantity of ingredients.
Monster Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- ⅓ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Butter softened
- ½ Cup Shortening
- 1 ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar packed
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup M&Ms
- 1 Cup Seedless Raisins
- ¾ Cup Salted Peanuts Coarsely Chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F.
- In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. (About 2 minutes.)
- Add the eggs, and vanilla extract and mix well to the butter and sugar mixture. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until well mixed. Stir in the M&Ms, Raisins, and Peanuts.
- Using a ¼ measuring cup, spoon onto a large cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Space at least 3 inches apart. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes on a cookie sheet and move to a cooling rack to cool.
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