Monster Cookie Bars

4.5 Stars (6 Reviews)

Yield: 48 bars

prep time: 15

cook time: 15

total time: 30

Loaded with chocolate chips and M&Ms, Monster Cookie Bars are thick & chewy, and oh-so-good! These peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars can easily be adapted into a festive treat for any holiday, from the 4th of July to Christmas - and did I mention you only need one bowl?!

Ingredients

½ cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature, divided
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3½ cups old fashioned oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips - I always use Guittard brand
1 12.6-ounce bag M&M's - customize with red, white & blue for July 4th or other colors for other holidays and occasions
chocolate frosting and sprinkles optional - see note below

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly butter a 12'' x 17'' jelly roll pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together remaining 1/2 cup butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, and mix until incorporated. Add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, and mix again until incorporated.
Reserve about 1/2 cup each of the chocolate chips and M&M's, and then fold the remaining into the batter with a spatula. Press the batter evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and M&M's over the top, pressing them in slightly. Bake for 14 to 15 minutes. These bars are meant to be chewy; do not over bake! Remove from oven and let pan cool completely on wire rack. Then cut into individual bars.

Notes

These bars are fabulous just the way they are, but if you want to add a little more festivity for the 4th of July, add some chocolate (or white) frosting and sprinkles! My favorite chocolate buttercream would be great, or simply use a can of fudge frosting from the baking aisle at the grocery store. Place frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip and swirl the frosting onto the top of each bar. Add some red, white, and blue sprinkles, and you're set for a celebration!

Adapted from the recipe box of Blake’s cousin, Melanie Sorenson.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 155kcal Carbohydrates: 21g Protein: 4g Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 12mg Sodium: 112mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

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