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; 1 cup red and green holiday M&M's (divided: 3/4 cup for dough, 1/4 cup for topping); 3/4 cup chocolate chips

There’s something wonderfully festive about mixing bright red and green candies into a chewy cookie that practically shouts holiday cheer. This Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is exactly that — a joyful, chewy, and perfectly sweet treat that’s as fun to bake as it is to eat.

Six round cookies are placed on a gold cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown dough base with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered on top and partially embedded, making the surface colorful and textured. Some candies have a small white

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

Honestly, I’ve made a lot of holiday cookies over the years, but these Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms are a standout for their texture and festive pop of color. They’re like a nostalgic hug wrapped up in every bite, and your kitchen will smell amazing while baking.

Chewy & Chunky: The rolled oats and peanut butter deliver a chewy, hearty texture with gooey chocolate chips and crunchy M&Ms scattered throughout.
Festive Fun: The red and green M&Ms add that perfect holiday vibe that makes these cookies irresistible at any Christmas gathering.
Easy to Make: The recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients and just a short chill time — perfect if you’re baking between holiday events.
Customizable: You can tweak the type of chocolate chips or even swap oats to suit your pantry or family preferences.

There are eight round cookies placed on a golden wire cooling rack over a white marbled texture. Each cookie is light brown with a rough surface and is decorated with red and green candy pieces scattered on top, some of the candies showing a small white

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about the ingredients in this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is how well they balance flavor and texture. Peanut butter makes them rich and tender, oats add chew, and of course, those festive M&Ms give you bursts of crunch and sweetness that feel just right for the holidays.

Flat lay of a small pile of softened unsalted butter, a mound of brown sugar, a mound of white sugar, a dollop of creamy peanut butter, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small pile of rolled oats, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with baking soda powder, a small white bowl with salt, a scattering of red and green holiday M&M's, and a scattering of semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness perfectly, and it helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Brown Sugar and Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth, while white sugar keeps the cookies crisp around the edges.
Creamy Peanut Butter: This binds the cookies and adds that classic peanut butter flavor, making them extra satisfying.
Egg: Helps hold everything together while keeping the cookie soft.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash brightens all the flavors and balances sweetness with warmth.
Rolled Oats: Give these cookies their trademark chewy texture and nutty undertone; I like rolled over quick oats but either works.
Flour: The base that keeps everything structured just right.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly, so they’re thick and soft.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, including the sweetness of the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
Holiday M&Ms: The star of the show — red and green for Christmas and a crunchy pop in every bite.
Chocolate Chips: I use semi-sweet, but feel free to use milk chocolate if you want a sweeter touch.

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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 adore the classic combo in this recipe, but I've had fun experimenting with a few tweaks over time. It’s your cookie party, so don’t be afraid to make it yours and make it something your family and friends remember.

Variation: Once, I swapped half the chocolate chips for white chocolate chunks — it added a nice creamy contrast and was a hit with my kids.
Dietary Twist: For a gluten-free option, I’ve swapped all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and used gluten-free oats — still delicious!
Seasonal Change: Outside the holidays, you could swap M&Ms for colored candies or mini peanut butter cups for extra indulgence.

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

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating together the softened butter, brown sugar, and sugar for about 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because it traps air that helps your cookies rise and creates that tender texture everyone loves. I usually stop occasionally to scrape down the bowl to make sure everything is well mixed.

Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, mix in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat these together for about one more minute, until you get a smooth, glossy batter. The peanut butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and chewing power, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Folding in the Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins

In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so I stop as soon as I don’t see loose flour.

Then fold in the chocolate chips and ¾ cup of the red and green M&Ms, saving the rest for topping.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to scoop and preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Step 5: Baking and Decorating

Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). Scoop dough balls onto a light-colored baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. While they’re hot out of the oven, press the remaining ¼ cup of M&Ms gently into the tops — this makes them look so festive and inviting. Let cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Top Tip

From my hands-on experience, certain details really help bring out the best in this Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe. These tips have saved me from common cookie blunders and helped deliver consistent, joyful results.

Use Room Temperature Butter: It creams better with sugar, creating a fluffier dough that bakes up soft and chewy.
Don’t Overmix Once You Add Flour: Overworking flour develops gluten and leads to tougher cookies — gentle folding is your friend.
Press M&Ms Right After Baking: Adding candy after baking keeps colors vibrant and ensures they don’t melt completely into the cookie, preserving crunch.
Chill the Dough: Even a short chill time greatly improves texture and makes cookie scooping so much easier.

How to Serve Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe

Christmas Monster Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep the cookies simple because they’re so delightfully colorful on their own. But for a fun twist, I’ve sprinkled a pinch of cinnamon sugar on some right after baking, giving a toasty warm note. Sometimes, a light drizzle of melted white chocolate over cooled cookies makes them look extra special for gifting.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, but I also love serving them alongside spiced hot cocoa or eggnog during the holidays. For a party spread, arrange them on a festive platter with other classic cookies like gingerbread or sugar cutouts to complement the colors and textures.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped batches in clear cellophane tied with a red and green festive ribbon for neighbors and coworkers — instant cheerful gift! For cookie exchanges, stacking them in a clear jar with layers of wax paper between keeps them looking fresh and makes a really pretty presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Monster Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and chewy for up to three days. If you notice they’re starting to dry out a bit, a little slice of bread placed in the container helps keep moisture in overnight.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. I like to freeze the dough scooped into balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them into the oven straight from the freezer — you might need to add a minute or two of baking time.

Reheating

To enjoy leftover cookies warm, I microwave them for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This revives the softness and brings back that fresh-baked feeling perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Using crunchy peanut butter changes the texture slightly, adding tiny peanut bits inside the cookie. If that’s your preference, go for it, but the cookies may be a bit less smooth and more textured.

What if I don’t have M&Ms, can I use something else?

Absolutely! You can swap M&Ms for any colorful candy-coated chocolates or even chopped holiday candy bars for a different twist. Just be mindful some candies might melt more during baking.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious and festive.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes is key. Also, using a light-colored baking sheet helps cookies bake more evenly. Avoid using too warm butter to keep the dough firm.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Monster Cookies with M&Ms Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup. It’s that perfect mix of nostalgia, fun, and deliciousness that brings smiles every time I make it. I hope you enjoy baking these as much as I do, and that they become a beloved part of your festive traditions too.