These Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies are a fun treat packed with colorful candies and oats! They are chewy, sweet, and perfect for celebrating the holiday.
Making these cookies is a blast! I love seeing the kids get involved, picking out their favorite candies to add. They always want to sneak a bite before they even cool down! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter gives these cookies a rich flavor and helps with texture. If you prefer, you can use margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
Creamy Peanut Butter: This is key for flavor! If there are allergies, almond or sunflower seed butter works great as a substitute.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: These sugars balance each other nicely, adding sweetness and moisture. You can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute, depending on your needs.
Quick-Cooking Oats: These oats provide a chewy texture. Old-fashioned oats will work, just note they may give a slightly different texture.
M&M’s: The colorful candies make these cookies festive! If unavailable, chocolate chips or even dried fruits can be used for a different twist.
What’s the Best Way to Cream Your Butter and Sugars Together?
Creaming your butter and sugars is a crucial step for getting that light and fluffy cookie texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start with softened butter – let it sit out for about an hour before using.
- Use a mixing bowl and an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure everything is well combined.
This step adds air to your mixture, helping your cookies rise nicely in the oven!
Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s candies
- 1 cup white mini marshmallows
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
Time Needed:
This delightful recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10-12 minutes to bake, plus around 5 minutes to cool on the baking sheets. In total, you’ll have warm, tasty cookies ready in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheating and Preparing:
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking. This makes cleanup so much easier!
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together. Then add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat them all together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes. It’s important to get some air into the mixture!
3. Adding the Eggs:
Now, beat in the eggs one at a time. Make sure you mix well after each addition so everything is combined smoothly.
4. Combining the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed and the cookies will rise nicely.
5. Mixing It All Together:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want those cookies to stay soft and chewy.
6. Adding the Fun Stuff:
Here comes the fun part! Stir in the quick oats, red, white, and blue M&M’s, mini marshmallows, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix until everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shaping the Cookies:
Using rounded tablespoons, drop dollops of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a little while baking, so give them room!
8. Adding More Color (Optional):
If you’d like, gently press a few extra M&M’s or some sprinkles onto the tops of the cookie dough balls to make them extra festive!
9. Baking Time:
Pop the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be golden, but the centers should look a bit soft—that’s how you’ll get that chewy texture!
10. Cooling Off:
Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up nicely.
11. Serving Up Deliciousness:
Finally, serve these delightful, colorful monster cookies at your 4th of July celebration! They’re sure to be a hit with friends and family alike. Enjoy your tasty creations!
FAQ for Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Can I Use Natural Peanut Butter Instead of Creamy Peanut Butter?
Yes, you can substitute natural peanut butter, but it might alter the consistency slightly. Natural peanut butter can be more runny, so you may want to reduce the amount of butter by a tablespoon to maintain the right texture.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them! Just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll last up to three months.
Can I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! To make gluten-free monster cookies, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure that the blend includes xanthan gum for optimal results!
What Can I Use Instead of M&M’s?
If you don’t have M&M’s on hand, feel free to use chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits like cranberries or cherries for a fun twist. You can even mix and match for even more variety!
