These 4th of July Monster Cookies are fun, colorful, and packed with goodies! With oats, chocolate chips, and festive M&Ms, they’re perfect for any celebration.
Making these cookies is a blast! I love how easy it is to mix everything together, and who can resist those bright colors? They never last long at my BBQs! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter is best for controlling the salt content. If you’re out, you can use margarine or another butter substitute, but the flavor might be slightly different.
Peanut Butter: I love using creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture, but chunky adds a nice crunch! If you’re allergic, try sunflower seed butter or almond butter as good replacements.
M&M’s: The red, white, and blue M&M’s give a fun 4th of July twist. You can easily use regular M&M’s or any leftover candy you have. Just remember to keep the festive colors in mind for special occasions!
Oats: Quick-cooking oats give these cookies a chewy texture. If you prefer a heartier bite, rolled oats can work too, but chop them down a bit for better mixing.
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Cookie Texture?
The key to perfect cookies lies in mixing and baking. Here are some steps to ensure your cookies will come out just right:
- When creaming the butter and sugars, mix until light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air for a lighter cookie.
- Don’t overmix after adding the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Watch the baking time. It’s better to slightly underbake than overbake, as cookies continue cooking on the sheet.
Allow them to cool slightly before moving them to a rack. This helps maintain their shape and texture!
Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups quick-cooking oats
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s (or regular M&M’s in festive colors)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- ¼ cup red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun and festive cookie recipe takes about 20 minutes of prep time and about 12-15 minutes of baking time. Allow for some additional cooling time after baking, making the total time around 40-50 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick holiday treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the Butters and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together. Beat them until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This adds flavor and moisture to the cookies!
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the quick-cooking oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed and prevents clumping.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might become tough!
6. Add Peanut Butter:
Stir in the peanut butter until fully combined. It should be well blended with the cookie dough.
7. Fold in the Goodies:
Now it’s time for the fun part! Gently fold in the red, white, and blue M&M’s, chocolate chips, and miniature marshmallows until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
8. Scoop the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop large spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
9. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. This will give you that chewy texture!
10. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Enjoy Your Cookies:
Serve these delicious monster cookies at your 4th of July celebration or any summer gathering! They pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or your favorite summer beverage. Enjoy!
FAQ for Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Can I Use a Different Type of Peanut Butter?
Absolutely! You can use creamy or chunky peanut butter based on your preference. If you need a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter work well as substitutes!
How Should I Store the Cookies After Baking?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them! Just make sure they are fully cooled, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
What If I Don’t Have Quick-Cooking Oats?
If you don’t have quick-cooking oats, you can substitute rolled oats instead. Just give them a quick chop to make them smaller so they blend smoothly into the cookie dough.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just scoop the dough onto the baking sheets when you’re ready to bake, and you may need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time if the dough is cold.
