Patriotic Monster Cookies (Printable)

Chewy, festive cookies with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and red, white, and blue candies.

# What You Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Add-Ins

11 - 1 1/2 cups red, white, and blue chocolate candies
12 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
13 - 1 cup mini pretzels, lightly crushed (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Blend in creamy peanut butter. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in red, white, and blue chocolate candies, semisweet chocolate chips, and mini pretzels if using.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them two inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden and centers remain soft.
09 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These cookies smuggle salty pretzels and sweet chocolate into every chewy bite, and your friends will think you have secret bakery skills.
  • You only need one sturdy mixing bowl, and the dough comes together fast so you can go from craving to munching in half an hour flat.
02 -
  • If you leave the cookies unattended in the oven, just one extra minute will take them from chewy to disappointingly crisp.
  • Pressing a few candy shells on top of scooped dough right before baking brings those festive colors front and center every time.
03 -
  • If your dough is sticky, chill it for fifteen minutes before scooping so the cookies hold their shape better.
  • Rotating the baking sheets halfway through ensures even browning, especially if your oven has hot spots.

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