These Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies are a fun and colorful treat! Packed with oats, chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for celebrating.
Imagine munching on a cookie filled with goodies while watching fireworks. I love making these with my kids—they enjoy mixing in all the flavors. 😄
Plus, these cookies are super simple to whip up, so you can spend less time baking and more time enjoying the festivities. Great for sharing with friends and family!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds a rich flavor and helps the cookies spread nicely. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine, but I recommend sticking with butter for the best taste.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: The mix of sugars gives these cookies a nice balance of sweetness and chewiness. You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor while still keeping that moisture.
Oats: Quick cooking oats are perfect for texture. If you don’t have quick oats, you can use rolled oats, but they may give the cookies a chewier bite. Instant oats can work, but they may make the cookies a bit softer.
M&M’s: I love the festive look of red, white, and blue M&M’s for the 4th of July! If they aren’t available, any colored M&M’s will do, or you could use chocolate chips for a simpler look.
How Do I Ensure My Cookies Stay Chewy?
To keep your cookies chewy and delicious, pay attention to the baking time. Here are some tips:
- Preheat your oven correctly. This ensures even baking.
- Take the cookies out when the edges are golden but the centers look soft. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Avoid overmixing once you combine dry and wet ingredients, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
- Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting before moving them to a cooling rack.
Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup red, white, and blue M&M candies
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10 minutes to bake, so allow about 25 minutes total to get your delicious cookies ready. Don’t forget an additional 5 minutes cooling time on the baking sheet!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is important to make sure your cookies bake evenly. While your oven is heating, you can get your baking sheets ready by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a mixer or a wooden spoon to cream them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This creates a nice texture for the cookies!
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time—and don’t forget to stir in the vanilla extract! Mixing the eggs in slowly helps create soft, chewy cookies.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This blending helps ensure there are no clumps of baking soda in your cookie dough.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. You want to avoid overmixing to keep those cookies soft!
6. Add the Goodies:
Now for the fun part! Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and red, white, and blue M&M’s. If you like, feel free to toss in some white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
7. Prepare to Bake:
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your lined baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
8. Add Extra Festive Touch:
For a cuter look, lightly press a few extra M&M’s or sprinkles on top of each dough ball. This gives them a colorful and festive appeal when they come out of the oven!
9. Bake the Cookies:
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes. You want the edges to be golden brown, while the centers should look slightly soft and puffy.
10. Cool Down:
Once done, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these festive, chewy, and colorful monster cookies perfect for your 4th of July celebration! They are sure to be a hit with everyone. 🎉🍪
FAQ for Easy 4th of July Monster Cookies
Can I Use Different Types of Oats?
Yes! While quick cooking oats provide a great texture, you can substitute rolled oats. Just keep in mind that using rolled oats may result in a chewier cookie. Avoid instant oats, as they may make the cookies too soft.
What Can I Substitute for M&M’s?
If you don’t have red, white, and blue M&M’s, feel free to use regular M&M’s or any chocolate chips you like! You could also mix in nuts or dried fruits for a different twist if desired.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store your monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months—just make sure to wrap them well to avoid freezer burn!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can mix the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just bring it back to room temperature before scooping and baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough in balls and bake them straight from the freezer—just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time!
