Why Make This Recipe
You’re probably wondering, "What’s so special about Monster Cookie Bars?" Well, these delightful treats are a fantastic combination of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Imagine chewy oats, rich chocolate, and a hint of peanut butter all packed into one gooey bar. Sounds amazing, right? Plus, they’re super easy to make, so you don’t need to be a baking aficionado to whip these up. 🤗
When you’re craving something sweet but want to keep it simple, these bars totally hit the spot. They’re great for sharing, or, let’s be real, for keeping all to yourself! Who could blame you?
How to Make Monster Cookie Bars
Don’t stress! Making these bars is as easy as 1-2-3. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps:
- Prep your pan: Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Mix it up: Cream together butter, peanut butter, and sugars until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Add wet ingredients: Toss in the eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything’s well combined.
- Dry ingredients go in: Stir in flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until you get a sticky dough.
- Choco-munchies time: Mix in those glorious chocolate chips and M&Ms.
- Pour and bake: Pour your mixture into the prepared pan, press it down a bit, then bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes. Just wait for those golden brown tops!
- Cool down: Let it cool completely before cutting into bars. Patience, my friend.
And voila! You’ve got yourself a batch of delicious Monster Cookie Bars. 🍪
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (111g) salted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (62g) peanut butter
- 1 cup (246g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (58g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (304g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (200g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (150g) M&Ms
Directions
- Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla; mix until well combined.
- Add the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips and M&Ms.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan; loosely press and pack the dough into the pan.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting.
- Enjoy! 🎉 Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature.
How to Serve Monster Cookie Bars
Ready to take your dessert game to the next level? Serve these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a match made in heaven. You can also drizzle some caramel or chocolate sauce on top if you’re feeling extra decadent. Seriously, who doesn’t love a little drizzle? 😋
How to Store Monster Cookie Bars
To keep your delicious Monster Cookie Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should hold up for about 3-4 days. If you’re not going to eat them within that time, you can freeze them! Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper before popping them in a freezer-safe container.
Tips to Make Monster Cookie Bars
- Overmixing alert! Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour—just mix until combined to keep those bars chewy.
- If you want a thicker bar, you can use an 8×8 pan instead of a 9×9. Just adjust the baking time a bit.
- Mix it up: Feel free to add other mix-ins like nuts or shredded coconut! Customize to your heart’s content.
Variation
If you want to switch things up a bit, consider making Monster Cookie Cups by using a muffin tin instead of a pan. Fill each cup with the dough and bake until golden brown for easy, individual servings! Perfect for parties or just for a little portion control (or not, no judgment here!). 😉
FAQs
1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a fun texture, just remember to keep it balanced with the creamy dough.
2. Can I substitute the M&Ms?
Totally! Use chocolate chips, nuts, or any of your fave candies. Get creative!
3. How do I know when they’re done baking?
Check for a golden brown top or insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
Now that you’re armed with all this info, it’s time to bake those Monster Cookie Bars and impress your friends (or just yourself 👍). Happy baking!
Monster Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla; mix until well combined.
- Add the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Mix in the chocolate chips and M&Ms.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and loosely press the dough into the pan.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Let the cookie bars cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting.