Monster cookies are basically peanut butter oatmeal cookies with M&Ms and chocolate chips.  There are hundreds of recipes for this type of cookie out there.  Some are heavier on the peanut butter, some incorporate nuts into the mix; my version has just half a cup of peanut butter and is pretty heavy on the M&Ms and chocolate chips.  It’s important to use a creamy peanut butter in this recipe.  If you use natural peanut butter you’ll end up with an oily cookie that spreads too much.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup M&Ms
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease cookie sheets with non stick spray or line with a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Add the peanut butter, egg and vanilla.
5. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
6. Add the oats and mix until just combined.
7. Mix in the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
8. Roll spoonfuls of the dough into balls and place at least two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.  You can press some M&Ms and chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies– it just makes them look prettier.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool cookies on wire rack.

*Yield: About 30 cookies