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

There’s something truly joyful about biting into a cookie that’s both colorful and packed with texture — that’s exactly why I want to share this Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe with you. These cookies bring together rich peanut butter, crunchy oats, and festive red and green M&Ms, making them a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Six round cookies are placed on a gold wire rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown base with a soft, slightly cracked texture and is dotted with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly on top. One cookie near the bottom center also shows dark brown chocolate chips partly covered by the candies. A bright red ribbon is partly visible in the lower right corner, adding a festive touch. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Making these Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. They’re a delightful mix of flavors and textures that really capture the spirit of the season — and you can always count on those bright M&Ms to bring smiles around the kitchen.

Peanut Butter & Oats combo: This pairing gives the cookies a chewy, hearty texture that’s way more satisfying than plain sugar cookies.
Festive M&M colors: The red and green candies make these cookies perfect for the holidays, adding a pop of cheerful color.
Easy and forgiving: The dough is straightforward to mix, and chilling it helps prevent spreading — so your cookies come out looking picture-perfect.
Customizable: I love swapping chocolate chips or nuts based on what I have on hand, and it always turns out delicious.

Nine round cookies sit on a gold wire cooling rack that is placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light brown and studded with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces throughout the dough, giving a festive look. To the top left, a copper bowl is filled with more red and green candies. Decorative elements include a red and white striped ornament on the left, some green pine branches on the top right, and red and green soft ribbon loops partially visible at the bottom right. The scene feels bright and cheerful, perfect for a holiday treat photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role in these monster cookies, balancing texture and flavor beautifully. Here’s a quick rundown so you know why they’re all included and a couple of tips when shopping.

Flat lay of a small pat of unsalted butter with a silky texture, a neatly packed mound of light brown sugar, a small heap of fine white granulated sugar, a dollop of creamy peanut butter with smooth swirls, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vanilla extract, a small pile of rolled oats with flaky texture, a neat mound of fine white flour, a tiny spoonful of baking soda powder, a pinch of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding red and green candy-coated M&M's, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically and balanced 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: Softened butter creamily binds everything together while adding richness; unsalted lets you control your salt level.
Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and a hint of caramel flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crisp edge on the cookies.
Creamy Peanut Butter: It’s the star flavor; creamy works best here for smooth batter and consistent texture.
Egg: Acts as a binder and gives the dough structure; make sure it’s at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the depth of flavor—don’t skip it, even if you think it’s subtle.
Rolled Oats: Adds chewiness and a rustic texture that makes these cookies monster-sized and more filling.
Flour: Provides the cookie body; all-purpose works beautifully for this recipe.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough so they’re tender but not cakey.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and heightens all the flavors.
Red and Green Holiday M&M's: This is the festive touch that makes these cookies truly special and visually fun.
Chocolate Chips: Adds melty pockets of chocolate – the semi-sweet kind gives a nice contrast without being too sweet.

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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 like to switch things up a bit depending on the occasion or what I have in the pantry. These monster cookies are really forgiving, so don’t hesitate to add your own twist.

Variation: One time, I swapped out half the oats for shredded coconut and added chopped pecans — it was a tropical surprise that everyone loved.
Dietary modification: You can easily make these gluten-free by swapping regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
Seasonal changes: Beyond Christmas, swapping the M&Ms for pastel colors works great for Easter treats.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Until Light and Fluffy

I start by beating the softened butter, brown sugar, and sugar together for about 4 minutes. This step is essential because it creates a light, airy base that makes the cookies tender. I use a stand mixer, but a hand mixer works perfectly too. You’ll notice the mixture looks pale and fluffy when it’s ready — don’t rush this!

Step 2: Mix in the Good Stuff

Next, I add peanut butter, the egg, and vanilla extract, mixing for about another minute until everything is well combined. This builds the deep, creamy flavor characteristic of these monster cookies.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Candies

Now, fold in oats, flour, baking soda, and salt gently — stirring just enough to combine. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough, so take it slow. Then I fold in chocolate chips and most of the M&Ms, leaving a handful aside to press on top after baking for that colorful pop.

Step 4: Chill for Best Results

Wrapping the dough tightly and chilling for 30 minutes is my secret weapon. It firms up the dough and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking. Patience here pays off!

Step 5: Bake and Decorate

Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). I scoop the dough generously onto a light-colored baking sheet (this helps prevent over-browning). Leave about two inches between each cookie because they’ll spread slightly. After 9-10 minutes, take them out and quickly press the remaining M&Ms on top while the cookies are still warm. Let them cool for about 5-10 minutes before moving to a wire rack or plate.

Top Tip

From my experience baking these cookies repeatedly over the holidays, I’ve found a few little tricks that make all the difference and save you from common pitfalls.

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step, even if you’re in a rush; it prevents over-spreading and gives you the perfect rounded shape.
Use Light-Colored Baking Sheets: Dark pans brown the bottoms too fast, which can lead to burnt cookies before the centers are cooked.
Reserve M&Ms for After Baking: Pressing some M&Ms on top after baking keeps their colors vibrant instead of dulled or melted.
Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: It’s tempting to stir until perfectly smooth, but minimal mixing keeps the cookies tender and chewy.

How to Serve Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies Recipe

Festive M&M Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a little extra finish by sprinkling flaky sea salt lightly on top just as they come out of the oven — it balances the sweetness beautifully. Sometimes, I’ll place a few whole M&M candies on top for an eye-catching burst of color and texture.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of spiced chai. If you’re serving them at a party, I like setting them beside bowls of nuts and fruit for a little balance between indulgent and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree on a large platter, using mini candy canes as garlands. It was an instant festive centerpiece that guests couldn’t stop admiring (or eating!). Cookie stacks tied with a ribbon also make lovely, simple gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After they’ve fully cooled, I store my leftover monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for about 3 days, which usually means they disappear fast around here!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, which is great if you want to bake ahead. I usually place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for an hour, then transfer to a gallon Ziploc bag. They last up to two months this way without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To warm frozen cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly in a 325°F oven. This revives that fresh-baked softness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can definitely use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a little extra texture, but it might make the dough a bit chunkier. It’s a tasty variation, though, and perfectly fine for this recipe.

What if I don’t have holiday M&Ms?

If you don’t have access to red and green holiday M&Ms, regular M&Ms will work just fine. You can also get creative and mix in other colorful candies or chocolate chips to keep it festive.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

To make these dairy-free, use a plant-based butter substitute and make sure your peanut butter and chocolate chips don’t contain milk ingredients. There are many great dairy-free brands available now that work well in baking.

Why do you press the M&Ms on after baking?

Pressing some M&Ms on after baking keeps their vibrant colors from dulling or melting into the cookie surface, which keeps these cookies looking extra festive and appetizing. It’s a simple step that makes a big visual difference.

Final Thoughts

These Festive Chocolate M&M Monster Cookies have a way of turning any day into a celebration in my home — they’re joyful, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying. I hope you give them a try and find, like I did, that a simple cookie can bring so much happiness (and maybe a dash of holiday magic) to your kitchen!