Description
Monster cookie bars combine irresistible peanut butter, chocolate chips, and colorful M&Ms in one incredible dessert. Crammed with nostalgic flavors and childhood memories, these bars promise delightful sweetness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Baking Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-Ins and Extras:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&Ms
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by warming the oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Create a smooth foundation by whisking melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and peanut butter in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a glossy, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the buttery mixture, stirring vigorously to achieve a well-blended emulsion that integrates all liquid components seamlessly.
- Gradually fold in dry ingredients – oats, flour, baking soda, and salt – using gentle, sweeping motions to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
- Delicately introduce chocolate chips and M&Ms throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee a balanced sweet-and-chocolatey experience in every bite.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread the mixture into a uniform layer, then artfully scatter additional M&Ms and mini chocolate chips across the surface for visual appeal.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-24 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a set center that indicates perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps them firm up and makes clean, precise cutting easier.
- Once fully cooled, slice into rectangular bars using a sharp knife, creating consistent portions that showcase the colorful, chocolate-studded interior.
Notes
- Customize chocolate types by swapping M&Ms with different flavors or seasonal varieties for festive twists.
- Swap peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free or alternative dietary needs.
- Use gluten-free oats and flour blend to make this recipe celiac and gluten-sensitive friendly.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or cutting sugar quantities by 25% without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg