Name: Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened); 1/2 cup Brown Sugar; 1/2 cup Sugar; 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter (like Skippy's or Jif); 1 large Egg; 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 3/4 cup Rolled Oats; 1 cup Flour; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 3/4 cup Chocolate Chips; 3/4 cup Red and Green Holiday M&M's (divided, 1/2 cup in dough and 1/4 cup for topping)

There’s something downright magical about a cookie that feels festive, chewy, and packed with color—and that’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe. The combination of peanut butter, oats, and those bright red and green M&Ms just screams holiday cheer every time you take a bite.

Six round cookies are placed on a gold wire rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown base with a soft, slightly cracked texture and is dotted with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly on top. One cookie near the bottom center also shows dark brown chocolate chips partly covered by the candies. A bright red ribbon is partly visible in the lower right corner, adding a festive touch. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Monster Cookies aren’t your average holiday treat. I’ve made them for a bunch of holiday parties and family get-togethers, and people always ask for the recipe. The texture, flavor, and festive look make them an absolute crowd-pleaser.

Perfect balance of chewy and soft: Thanks to the peanut butter and oats, these cookies stay wonderfully soft inside.
Festive and fun: Those red and green M&Ms add a pop of holiday color that makes these cookies irresistible.
Simple ingredients, big results: You likely have all of these pantry staples already, making it easy to whip up whenever the craving strikes.
Great for gifting or parties: Because they’re so colorful and substantial, these cookies make fantastic edible gifts or party snacks.

Nine round cookies sit on a gold wire cooling rack that is placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light brown and studded with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces throughout the dough, giving a festive look. To the top left, a copper bowl is filled with more red and green candies. Decorative elements include a red and white striped ornament on the left, some green pine branches on the top right, and red and green soft ribbon loops partially visible at the bottom right. The scene feels bright and cheerful, perfect for a holiday treat photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe plays a crucial role. From the peanut butter’s richness to the oats’ hearty texture, each one brings something special so that the cookies come out perfectly balanced in flavor and chew.

Flat lay of a small pat of unsalted butter with a silky texture, a neatly packed mound of light brown sugar, a small heap of fine white granulated sugar, a dollop of creamy peanut butter with smooth swirls, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vanilla extract, a small pile of rolled oats with flaky texture, a neat mound of fine white flour, a tiny spoonful of baking soda powder, a pinch of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding red and green candy-coated M&M's, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates that tender crumb and helps the cookies spread just right.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor which deepens the cookie’s taste.
Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the slight crisp edges.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Gives the cookies their irresistible soft texture and nutty flavor; I love this with either Skippy or Jif.
Egg: Acts as a binder so everything sticks together while keeping the cookies moist.
Vanilla Extract: Elevates the overall sweet aroma and flavor beautifully.
Rolled Oats: Provide that classic “monster cookie” chewiness and a lovely heartiness.
Flour: The foundation to hold your cookie dough together.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount without puffing up too much.
Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the peanut butter’s depth.
Red and Green Holiday M&M's: The star festive ingredient — adds color, crunch, and chocolatey pops everywhere.
Chocolate Chips: Because chocolate and peanut butter are best friends, I never skip these.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up with this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe because it’s so versatile. Sometimes I swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate or add a handful of chopped nuts. You can make it your own and still get a fantastic result.

Variation: One time, I added a pinch of cinnamon and a little orange zest, giving the cookies a cozy holiday twist that everyone adored.
Dietary swaps: If you’re vegan, try a vegan butter and flax egg to keep these inclusive for all your guests.
Seasonal changes: Substitute the red and green M&Ms with pastel colors for Easter or use classic rainbow ones for year-round fun.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by softening your butter so it creams nicely with the brown sugar and sugar. I usually give it about 4 minutes with my stand mixer, or beat by hand until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key—it traps air to help give your cookies a tender texture.

Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, mix in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. I recommend beating it for about a minute here; it helps everything blend beautifully, so you don’t get any greasy pockets of peanut butter later on.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients and M&Ms

Now, fold in your oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until combined—overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and that’s the last thing you want! Then gently fold in the chocolate chips and most of your holiday M&Ms, but hold a little back for topping after baking.

Step 4: Chill, Scoop, and Bake

Wrap your dough tightly and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Trust me, this step makes a difference—it helps the cookies keep their shape and bake evenly. Then scoop onto a light-colored baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake at 365°F for 9-10 minutes. Once out, quickly press the reserved M&Ms on top so they stay looking gorgeous after baking.

Top Tip

I’ve baked these cookies dozens of times, and here are a few tips that really help nail the perfect texture and look every time.

Butter Softness: Don’t melt the butter; keep it just soft enough to cream. Melted butter can make your cookies spread too much.
Chill the Dough: Chilling solidifies the fats, preventing the cookies from flattening out too much in the oven.
Use a Light Baking Sheet: Dark pans absorb heat and can cause your cookies to brown too quickly on the bottom.
Add M&Ms Last: Pressing the leftover M&Ms on top after baking keeps them vibrant and intact, making these cookies perfect for gifting.

How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Christmas Monster Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the colorful M&Ms do the talking. But for a little extra sparkle, I sometimes dust the tops with a tiny pinch of edible glitter or sea salt flakes—salty-sweet is such a winning combo!

Side Dishes

Pair these with a cold glass of milk or a mug of rich hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy holiday treat. They also make a sweet sidekick to coffee at a Christmas brunch or cookie exchange party.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging these cookies on a festive platter lined with holiday-themed napkins. Stacking them in a clear cylindrical jar with a ribbon makes a beautiful edible gift. You can even thread a few cookies on a festive ribbon for a playful cookie garland decoration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 3 days. I recommend adding a slice of bread into the container to keep the moisture just right and prevent them from drying out.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing these Christmas Monster Cookies. Just package them carefully in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag or airtight container, and they keep perfectly for up to two months. When you’re ready, let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours—you won’t even notice they were frozen.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy them a bit warm, pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This warms the chocolate just enough without drying out the cookie.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe?

While you can use crunchy peanut butter, the texture will be quite different. Creamy peanut butter ensures a smooth, tender cookie, but if you love a bit of crunch, absolutely give it a try! Just expect a heartier bite.

What’s the best way to keep M&Ms from bleeding color in the cookies?

Pressing most M&Ms into the dough and reserving some to place on top right after baking is a great trick I use. This way, the ones on top keep their colors vibrant and don’t melt into the dough as much.

Can I substitute rolled oats with quick oats in this recipe?

Yes! Quick oats will work fine and will result in a slightly softer cookie. Rolled oats give a bit more chew and texture, but quick oats are a fine option if that’s what you have on hand.

How do I make this recipe vegan-friendly?

To make these cookies vegan, swap the butter for vegan butter and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes). Also, check your M&Ms and chocolate chips to make sure they’re vegan certified.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is one I return to year after year because it hits all the right notes: festive, fun, and absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of cookie I’m always excited to share with family and friends, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making (and eating) them just as much as I do. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to make some holiday magic in your kitchen!