Monster Cookie Bars: Easy Dessert Recipe for Kids
Monster Cookie Bars are an easy and fun baking recipe with the perfect combination of soft and chewy packed into bite-sized bars.
Hi there, Kenarry readers! It’s Kelly from Typically Simple and I’m back this month with another simple, yet oh so yummy treat recipe – Monster Cookie Bars!
We are big fans of cookies in our house; it’s definitely a treat that gets baked (and eaten!) most often. Monster cookies are always a family favorite, with all the yummy mix-ins like M&M’s and peanut butter, it’s a cookie that everyone enjoys.
Monster Cookie Bars
While I do love to bake cookies, I usually have at least 2-3 baking pans going in and out of the oven to get all the cookies baked as quickly as possible. And sometimes I just don’t love the mess of all the baking pans, bowls, and whatnot to clean up afterward. Enter the Monster Cookie Bars!
Monster Cookies Bars are just as delicious as their cookie cousins, but the batter gets poured into a pan and baked into bars, so less mess, less clean-up, but just as yummy! Plus you can cut them into bite-sized squares which makes them last a little longer…unless you are like me and end up eating 4 or 5 squares in one sitting!
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Monster Cookie Bars Recipe
Here is everything you will need for this recipe.
Supplies
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable card at the bottom of this post.
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Quick-cooking oats
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- M&Ms
How to Make Monster Cookie Bars
It’s pretty easy, really. Mix all the ingredients together. Then, spread the batter into a baking sheet.
After they are done baking, just cut them into bars. Or you can use a cookie cutter and cut them into fun shapes too.
Quick-Cooking Oats Substitute
If all you have on hand is old-fashioned oats, those will work too. But you will be able to see and feel the larger sizes of the oats. To minimize that, just pulse your oats through a food processor.
Monster Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Butter softened
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 3/4 cup Quick Cooking Oats
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar.
- Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat in peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix in oats.
- Pour into large bowl of wet ingredients and mix well on medium speed.
- Fold in M&M’s and chocolate chips with a spoon.
- Press batter into a greased 9×13 pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely and cut into squares
Nutrition
And if you happen to have a little more self-restraint that I do, store any extras in an airtight container. They are especially delicious to eat with a cup of coffee in the morning! It’s sometimes fun to indulge in a little breakfast dessert!
Alternatives to Peanut Butter
Since publishing this recipe, we’ve been asked what alternatives work in this recipe instead of peanut butter.
One of my pesonal favorites is Sunbutter. It’s made with sunflower seeds instead of peanuts.
You can also use almond butter. If you cut back the sugar a little, you could also use cookie butter. (It’s super sweet with added sugar, so be aware of that).
For another amazing dessert treat, try our sweet and salty Toffee Bark recipe. And, if you’re looking to add a little protein in your diet, these Monster Cookie Energy Bites are out of this world!
Here are a few more simple treat ideas you might like!
very berry bundt cake | caramel apple cookies | no bake strawberry cheesecake bites
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What’s Next?
While you’re here you may also enjoy these easy dessert ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –
- New England Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe
- Donut Cookies: Easy Idea Using Sugar Cookie Dough
- Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe: Easy Dessert Idea
Originally published February 2018. Updated October 2018.
Thanks for bringing these to FF, a truly decadent treat to have with coffee in the morning!
Oh yes! These would be perfect with a cup of coffee, Liz. Enjoy!