Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (2024)

Jump to Recipe

The best monster cookies recipe is one that has been handed down to many generations within a family. This was a favorite in my childhood during the Holidays and now a favorite of my own children as well. These cookies are easy to make and full of chocolate chips and M&M's.

This cookie is easy to make and delicious to eat and makes a large batch so you will have plenty to share.

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (1)

These cookies are easy to make and are perfect for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. They look great in cookie trays for gift-giving and the color of the M&M's can easily be swapped out to fit any special occasion.

These cookies are easy to make and are perfect for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. They look great in cookie trays for gift-giving and the color of the M&M's can easily be swapped out to fit any special occasion.

This monster cookies recipe is easy to make intomonster cookie bars!Although, for the bar version it does use all-purpose flour.

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

The ingredient list for the best monster cookie recipe is pretty basic:

  • dark brown sugar
  • granulated sugar
  • baking soda
  • old fashioned oats
  • unsalted butter, softened
  • creamy peanut butter
  • vanilla extract
  • large eggs
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • M&M candies
Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (2)

How to Make Gluten Free Monster Cookies

This recipe has no flour making it really easy to make gluten-free! It also contains oats that are naturally gluten-free. If there are gluten-free restrictions, check the label on the oats to make sure they are made in a gluten-free facility.

There are also some greatgluten-free options for chocolate chipsout there. Most chocolate candies are gluten-free as well, just check the packaging before purchasing.

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (3)

Instructions for Making Chewy Monster Cookies

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. I use my stand mixer for this to cream the ingredients together easily.
  3. Slowly add the old fashioned oats and baking soda to the wet ingredients and beat until combined.
  4. Beat in the chocolate chips and M&M's on low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl, and evenly distributing the candies in the cookie dough.
  5. Scoop cookies by 1 and a half tablespoons or use a #40 cookie scoop to portion into cookie dough balls and place them onto the prepared cookie sheets two inches apart.
  6. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, let them cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

For chewy cookies, bake until the edges are browned but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to bake as they cool.

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (4)

Variations in Monster Cookies

This recipe for monster cookies uses old-fashioned oats but quick oats can be used instead. It will alter the chewiness of the cookies but will still taste delicious.

Creamy peanut butter is used in this recipe but chunky peanut butter can be used in its place if you prefer a crunchier cookie.

To make this cookie peanut butter free, a different nut butter such as almond butter or seed butter can be used with great results.

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (5)

Tools Needed to Make Monster Cookies

Having the right kitchen tools on hand helps make the baking process go faster. Here are some suggested cookie baking tools.

Storing Monster Cookies

When it comes to storing your monster cookies, there are a few crucial steps to ensure that your delicious dessert stays fresh and chewy. Proper storage helps your cookies stay in great condition, keep flavor, and keep them fresh when preparing them in advance for gift giving for Christmas or just to eat at a later date.

The first step is to make sure that your fresh-baked cookies have completely cooled down after baking. Placing warm cookies in an airtight container can cause condensation, making them soggy.

Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool them completely before storing them.

Also, before stacking the cookies, make sure the chocolate chips have had the chance to harden to prevent the chips from melting and making the cookies stick together.

Once the cookies are cooled, place them in anairtight container. This is a great way to keep your cookies fresh short term. They will stay fresh for up to five days.

When baking cookies for Halloween or Christmas ahead of time, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to afreezer safe bagin a single layer and freeze for up to 3 months. Label the freezer bag to take the guesswork out of when the cookies were made. For extra protection, place the freezer bag in afreezer safe container. This locks in freshness for the cookies and they will taste great!

Top Tips

​Use room temperature ingredients to easily cream the butter and sugars together easily.

Avoid overbaking these monster cookies to get the best monster cookies with the chewiest texture. Allow the cookies to brown on the edges but they should still have a chewy center when taking them out of the oven.

  • Chewy Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Homemade Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
  • Christmas Cookie Bars
  • Easy Soft Christmas Cookie Recipes: The Essential Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are needed for the best monster cookies?

To make the best chewy monster cookies, you will need ingredients such as butter, dark brown and granulated sugar, creamy peanut butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, oats, and m&m candies.

What variations can be made to make Christmas monster cookies recipe?

There are many ways to customize this classic monster cookies recipe. The easiest way to make these Christmas monster cookies is to mix in Christmas colored m&m candies as well as some white chocolate chips to the cookie dough.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 27 Cookies

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (10)

This Monster Cookie recipe has been handed down many generations in my family. It was a favorite in my childhood during the Holidays and now a favorite of my own children as well. This cookie is easy to make and delicious to eat and makes a large batch so you will have plenty to share. Perfect for Halloween and Christmas.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time11 minutes

Total Time21 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal, *
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 11.5 ounce bag chocolate chips*
  • 11 ounce bag M&M's

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Combine softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a mixing bowl and beat until creamy.
  3. Slowly add the oatmeal and baking soda to the wet mixture and beat until combined.
  4. Stir in the chocolate chips and M&M's, until evenly distributed in the cookie dough.
  5. Scoop cookies by 1 and a half tablespoons or use a #40 cookie scoop to portion the cookie dough and place them onto the prepared cookie sheets two inches apart.
  6. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, let them cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

*To make these cookies gluten-free, choose gluten-free options for the oats, chocolate chips, and chocolate candies.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

27

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 267Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 158mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 29gProtein: 4g

Nutrition calculation is a rough estimate and can vary depending on the cooking technique and the exact ingredients used. For informational purposes only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (14)

Dana

Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.

Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.

Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free Option) - Mama Needs Cake® Mama Needs Cake® (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5790

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.