Oh my goodness, friends, do I have a treat for you today! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of baking, it’s that sometimes, you just need a dessert that’s ridiculously easy, utterly delicious, and brings a smile to everyone’s face. And let me tell you, these Monster Cookie Bars? They hit every single one of those marks, and then some!

I stumbled upon the idea for these bars one chaotic afternoon when I had a serious cookie craving but zero patience for scooping individual cookies. You know those days, right? So, I thought, “Why not throw everything into a pan and see what happens?” Best decision ever! What emerged from my oven was pure magic: thick, chewy, loaded-with-goodness Monster Cookie Bars that tasted even better than regular cookies, and with a fraction of the effort. They became an instant family favorite, and I’m pretty sure my kids think I’m some kind of wizard when I whip up a batch. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love These Monster Cookie Bars

Okay, so why are these Monster Cookie Bars going to become your new kitchen obsession? Well, for starters, they’re just so darn easy! Seriously, if you can stir, you can make these. But beyond the simplicity, they’re packed with all the good stuff – the peanut butter, the chocolate, the M&M’s – creating a flavor explosion in every bite. They’re perfect for everything from a quick after-school snack to a potluck showstopper. Plus, they’re super forgiving, which is always a win in my book. You’ll love how these bars bring all the joy of a monster cookie without any of the fuss!

The Irresistible Charm of Monster Cookie Bars

Quick Prep: You’ll be mixing and baking in no time, promise!
Minimal Cleanup: One pan, one happy baker.
Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, goes wild for these.

It’s that perfect blend of salty peanut butter, sweet chocolate, and colorful M&M’s that just makes these Monster Cookie Bars truly special.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Monster Cookie Bars

Alright, let’s talk about what makes these Monster Cookie Bars so incredibly delicious. It’s not just about throwing things together; it’s about choosing the right stuff. Trust me on this one, using good quality ingredients really does make a difference in the final taste and texture. I’m talking about that rich, chewy goodness that just melts in your mouth! You don’t need anything fancy, just your everyday pantry staples, but paying attention to a few details will take your bars from good to absolutely glorious. We want that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible, right?

Gathering Your Supplies for Monster Cookie Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Monster Cookie Bars. Get everything out and ready to go before you start mixing; it just makes life so much easier!

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (this is HUGE for creaming properly!)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar (packed means you really push it into the measuring cup!)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter (your favorite brand will do!)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant, we want that chew!)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s candies

How to Bake Delicious Monster Cookie Bars

Okay, now for the fun part – actually making these glorious Monster Cookie Bars! Don’t worry, it’s super straightforward, and I’ll walk you through every step. The key here is to just take your time, enjoy the process, and get ready for your kitchen to smell absolutely heavenly. We’re aiming for that perfect balance: crispy edges, a super chewy center, and pockets of melty chocolate and colorful M&M’s in every single bite. Get ready for some serious baking magic!

Step-by-Step Guide to Monster Cookie Bars

First things first, preheat your oven. You’ll want it nice and toasty at 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, go ahead and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. I like to use a little butter or cooking spray – just make sure it’s coated well so your bars pop right out later.
Now, grab a big bowl. This is where the magic starts! Toss in your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cream them together until they’re light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer for this, or if you’re feeling ambitious, a good old wooden spoon works too!
Next, beat in those eggs, one at a time. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and that creamy peanut butter. Keep mixing until everything is beautifully combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour. Once that’s done, gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Mix until they’re just combined. Resist the urge to overmix here – we don’t want tough bars!
Time for the good stuff! Stir in your rolled oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s candies. Make sure they’re spread out nicely throughout the dough so every bar gets a good helping of deliciousness.
Now, press that glorious cookie dough evenly into your prepared baking pan. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon for this.
Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be golden brown. If you stick a toothpick in the center, it should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
This is the hardest part, I swear! Let those amazing Monster Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you even *think* about cutting into them. Trust me, it’s worth the wait for perfectly set, non-crumbly bars!

Tips for Achieving the Best Monster Cookie Bars

Want to make these Monster Cookie Bars truly unforgettable? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way:

Don’t Overmix! I know I said it before, but it’s really important. Once you add the flour, mix just until it’s combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your bars tough. We want tender and chewy!
Room Temp Everything: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly and creates a better emulsion, leading to a more consistent and tender bar.
Cool Completely: Seriously, I can’t stress this enough. If you cut them warm, they’ll crumble and fall apart. Let them chill out for a bit, and they’ll slice beautifully.
A Little Underbaked is Okay: If you like a super chewy bar, you can slightly underbake them. They’ll continue to cook a bit after you pull them out of the oven, and it creates that perfect soft, gooey center.
Mix-in Fun: Feel free to get creative! Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top when they come out of the oven, or throw in some white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even other candies. The possibilities are endless for these Monster Cookie Bars!

Frequently Asked Questions About Monster Cookie Bars

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe down, and maybe you’ve even baked a batch (or five!). But I know sometimes little questions pop up, and I’m here to help. These Monster Cookie Bars are pretty forgiving, but a few common queries come up. Let’s tackle them!

Can I Substitute Ingredients in Monster Cookie Bars?

Oh, absolutely! That’s one of the best things about these Monster Cookie Bars – they’re super adaptable. You can totally swap out the M&M’s for other candies you love, like Reese’s Pieces, or use different kinds of chocolate chips (white chocolate, dark chocolate, butterscotch, oh my!). If you’re a nut fan, feel free to toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans. Just remember, changing things up might affect the taste or texture a little, but usually in a delicious way!

How Do I Store Leftover Monster Cookie Bars?

If you actually have any leftover (which is a big “if” in my house!), storing these Monster Cookie Bars is a breeze. Just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be good for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for about a week. And yes, they freeze beautifully! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Perfect for a quick treat later!

What Makes These Monster Cookie Bars So Chewy?

Ah, the chew factor! It’s one of my favorite things about these Monster Cookie Bars. A few things contribute to that amazing texture. First, the old-fashioned rolled oats play a big part – they soak up moisture and give that hearty chew. Then there’s the peanut butter, which adds richness and density. Plus, using both granulated and brown sugar helps keep things moist. And finally, baking them just until the edges are golden, leaving the center slightly soft, locks in that perfect chewiness. Don’t overbake, and you’ll be in chewy bar heaven!

Nutritional Information for Monster Cookie Bars

Now, I know some of you lovely bakers out there are curious about the nitty-gritty details, like nutritional info. While I can tell you these Monster Cookie Bars are packed with deliciousness, please keep in mind that any nutritional values are always estimates. They can totally vary depending on the exact brands you use, how big you cut your bars, and if you sneak in an extra handful of M&M’s (no judgment here, we’ve all done it!). So, just enjoy them for the delightful homemade treat they are!

Your Next Sweet Adventure with Monster Cookie Bars

So, there you have it, my friends! My go-to recipe for the most amazing Monster Cookie Bars. I truly hope you give these a try – I promise your taste buds (and anyone you share them with!) will thank you. There’s just something so joyful about making a batch of these, isn’t there? If you bake them, please come back and let me know how they turned out in the comments below! I absolutely love hearing your kitchen triumphs. And if you snap a picture, share it on social media and tag me! Happy baking!

Monster Cookie Bars: 1 Pan, Pure Joy

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These monster cookie bars are packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&M’s, making them a delicious and easy treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s candies

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and peanut butter until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Stir in rolled oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s candies until evenly distributed.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

For extra chewiness, underbake slightly.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
These bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: monster cookies, cookie bars, peanut butter, chocolate chips, M&M's, dessert, easy recipe, baking