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!

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

• mixing bowls
• hand mixer
• spoon
• 9×13 baking pan
• baking spray

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 and 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 and 3/4 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup M&Ms

How to Make Monster Cookie Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar. Then using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat in peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla.
3. 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.
4. Fold in M&M’s and chocolate chips with a spoon.
5. Press batter into a greased 9×13 pan.

6. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Enjoy!

Print Recipe

4.5 from 4 votes

Monster Cookie Bars Recipe

Monster Cookie Bars are an easy and fun baking recipe with the perfect combination of soft and chewy packed into bite-sized bars.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookie bars

Servings: 18

Calories: 330kcal

Author: Kelly | Typically Simple

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 9x13 pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool completely and cut into squares

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 4.3% | Vitamin C: 0.1% | Calcium: 4.3% | Iron: 11.1%

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.

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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With a passion for teaching, crafting, and photography, Kelly created a blog that weaves them all together. From easy dinner recipes to quick DIY projects, Typically Simple provides creative inspiration for cooking and baking, crafting with kids, home decor, organization and more. A classroom teacher for seven years, Kelly now stays at home with her very energetic little boy. Armed with her hot glue gun and a cup of coffee, she enjoys working on craft and DIY projects during nap-time. You might also find her taste-testing new recipes in the kitchen!

Follow Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

Originally published February 2018. Updated October 2018. 

Filed Under: Recipe Ideas Tagged With: Chocolate, Cookies, Creative Team, Dessert Ideas, Fun Food, Kid Ideas, Potluck Ideas, Recipes, Snacks