Monster Cookie Bars Recipe

I had a blast mixing melted unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter with a blend of granulated and brown sugars along with eggs and vanilla. The mixture, enriched with oats, semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, colorful M&M’s, and walnuts, makes these Oatmeal Monster Cookie Bars absolutely irresistible.

I grew up loving a good twist on cookies and these Monster Cookie Bars are no exception. I mixed 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted just right, with 1 cup creamy peanut butter and combined that with granulated sugar and a bit of brown sugar.

Then I stirred in 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for that extra flavor kick. Once that mixture was ready, I added 2 cups all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt.

The real fun began when I mixed in 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and a generous handful of colorful M&M’s, with some chopped walnuts tossed in for crunch. This recipe nods to some classic recipes like sugar cookie M&M bars and oatmeal twist variations.

Give it a try and see how a little creative spin can change your cookie game!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s got a crazy mix of textures and flavors that make every bite exciting. The crunchy walnuts and chewy oats with the creamy peanut butter and melted chocolate chips just work together in a way that reminds me of my favorite childhood treats.

I also like how easy it is to make. I mean, even if you’re not a master baker, following the steps feels straightforward and fun, and the smell in the kitchen while its baking is seriously the best part ever.

Another reason is that it’s super versatile. I sometimes add a little extra of my favorite chips or swap out some ingredients to suit my mood and it always turns out awesome.

And lastly, sharing these bars with friends is always a hit. Whether it’s a movie night or a quick snack, I love how these cookie bars bring people together and make any day a little bit brighter.

Ingredients

• Butter adds rich moisture, making the bars super tender and delicious.
• Peanut butter is creamy and protein-packed, giving a nutty boost.
• Granulated and brown sugars bring sweetness and a soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs help bind everything together while adding a bit of richness.
• Rolled oats supply fiber and hearty texture, making each bite filling.
• Mix of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and M&M’s offer bursts of fun sweetness.
• Walnuts give crunchy texture and healthy fats for extra taste.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 1 cup colorful M&M’s
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the melted unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar and light brown sugar until its all combined.

3. Add the two large eggs and vanilla extract, then stir everything until it’s smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined, then stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats.

6. Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, colorful M&M’s, and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are lightly gold and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

9. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a rack.

10. Once cool, cut into bars and enjoy your awesome Monster Cookie Bars!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven to 350°F and a 9×13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper or well greased
2. Large bowl for mixing the wet ingredients like melted butter, peanut butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla
3. Secondary bowl to mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt)
4. Measuring cups and spoons for proper ingredient amounts
5. Spatula to stir the batter and spread it evenly in the pan
6. Cooling rack to let the cookie bars cool down completely after baking
7. Toothpick to check if they are done (if it comes out mostly clean, they are ready)

FAQ

Monster Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter instead; just cut down on the added salt.
• If youre not a fan of peanut butter or have an allergy, try using almond or cashew butter for a different twist.
• You can substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or even a bit of honey if you want a richer flavour, but your texture might vary slightly.
• Replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or a gluten free blend; keep in mind that might make you bars a tad heavier.
• If walnuts arent your thing, swap them out with pecans or chopped almonds, they still give that nice crunchy bite.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you don’t overmix your batter when you combine the dry and wet ingredients. Overmixing can make your bars tougher so mix just until you see no more flour.

2. Keep an eye on your bake time. It can be easy to overbake these bars, so checking with a toothpick a minute or two early can help keep them soft and chewy.

3. When you fold in the chips, candies, and nuts, do it gently. Too much tossing might break them into tiny pieces and mess with the texture.

4. If you want bars that’re extra gooey, try chilling your batter for about 20 minutes before baking. This little trick helps the ingredients come together better.