Freezer-Friendly Monster Cookies
Chewy oat and peanut butter monster cookies packed with Halloween-colored candy and chocolate chips. Scoop and freeze the dough ahead, then bake straight from frozen for warm cookies on party day.
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
- 3-tablespoon cookie scoop
- Two baking sheets
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup Halloween-colored candy-coated chocolates divided
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- If baking right away, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the peanut butter, then the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture and mix on low until just combined.
- Stir in the oats, 3/4 cup of the candy, and the chocolate chips.
- Scoop 3-tablespoon mounds onto the baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Press the remaining 1/4 cup candy onto the tops.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
Notes
Tips: Pull the cookies when the centers look underdone, since they finish setting on the pan. Press candy onto the tops of each mound, because candy stirred in alone tends to hide inside the dough.
Allergy note: Contains peanuts. Label the plate if guests may have allergies.
Storage: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Make-ahead: After step 6, freeze the unbaked mounds on a parchment-lined tray until solid, about 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen at 350°F (175°C), adding 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.
Calories per serving: ~235 kcal (estimated, 1 cookie)