Description
These Monster Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic monster cookies, packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and colorful M&M’s. Perfectly chewy and sweet with a hint of crunchy sea salt on top, these bars make an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups M&M’s, divided
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on bars
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan generously with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the bars do not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old fashioned oats, baking soda, and sea salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
- Fold in Chocolate and M&M’s: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of the M&M’s evenly into the cookie dough.
- Spread in Pan and Add Toppings: Use a spatula to spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of M&M’s over the top for a colorful finish.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the bars are lightly golden brown and set. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars moist and chewy.
- Finish with Sea Salt and Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and chill it for up to 48 hours. Chilling softens the oats and enhances the flavor.
- Make sure not to overbake, as this will dry out the bars.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Flaky sea salt is key to balancing the sweetness and adding a delightful crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch piece)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
