Monster Cookie Bars
The ultimate sweet treat! Monster Cookie Bars are chewy, loaded with chocolate chips and peanut butter, making them a perfect dessert for any occasion. Easy to make and even easier to devour, these treats are a must-try!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter at room temperature
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar packed
- ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 large Egg at room temperature
- 1 large Egg Yolk at room temperature
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 ½ cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ½ cup M&Ms Candies
- ½ cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 serving Candy Eyeballs for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly butter the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper; the butter will help the parchment not move around.
- In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until mixture is fluffy and a shade or two lighter in color.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add egg and egg yolk, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add flour, salt, and baking soda and mix on low speed until almost incorporated, then add oats and mix briefly just to uniformly distribute them.
- Add M&Ms and chocolate chips and stir in with a rubber spatula, scraping any bits of dry flour that might be left on the bottom or sides of the bowl.
- Dump dough into prepared baking pan, using spatula to press it evenly all the way to the edges.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Let chilled dough sit at room temperature for a bit while the oven preheats.
- Bake for 33 to 37 minutes or until top is puffed and no longer raw looking, and edges are just starting to brown.
- Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool, then use parchment to lift the bars out of the pan to place on the rack to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Tip 1: Keep leftover Monster Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their softness.
- Tip 2: To freeze, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months!
- Tip 3: These bars pair wonderfully with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, making them a perfect snack any time of the day.
- Tip 4: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s crucial for developing the best texture and flavor.
- Tip 5: Consider serving these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an indulgent dessert.