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Full of chocolate chips, chewy oats, crunchy peanut butter, and M&M candies, Monster Cookie Bars are a fun, convenient twist on the old favorite. Monster Cookies have been my family’s favorite cookie ever since I was a child.

We use my grandmother’s monster cookies recipe and make a giant batch every year for our family’s camping trip. However, one year we simply ran out of time for our baking plans.

EASY Monster Cookie Bars (naturally gluten free) recipe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

I adjusted Grandma’s recipe slightly and pressed the cookie dough into the bottom of a large baking sheet. In less time than it would have taken to bake a single tray of cookies, the bars were cooling on the counter.

Easy as can be and the bars were a huge hit with everyone that tried them.

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unbaked cookie bar batter pressed into sheet pan and topped with m&ms

I was expecting a fun treat to snack on over the weekend, but these bars came close to trumping the original Monster Cookies.

Slightly more gooey than the cookies and still crisp on top and bottom, this is one of the best bar cookies I’ve ever tasted.

unsliced cookie bars topped with m&ms on sheet pan

If you’re crazy for Monster Cookies like I am, try out Monster Cookie Ice Cream swirled with chunks of peanut butter and loaded with cookies. It will leave you craving just one more bite every time you make it.

Chewy oats, peanut butter cookie dough, brown sugar, and butter all combine to create these chocolate and m&m filled snackable Monster Cookie Dough Bites.

Bite-size chunks of Monster Cookie dough are more irresistible than ever when tucked into the Best Ever Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

And don’t forget Monster Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches! Chewy peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are layered on each side of a scoop of pure vanilla ice cream. These sandwiches are a perfect summer dessert, or snack, or meal all by themselves.

cookie bars on tray with m&ms

To make this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • butter
  • white sugar
  • brown sugar
  • eggs
  • baking soda
  • vanilla extract
  • maple syrup
  • crunchy peanut butter
  • old fashioned rolled oats
  • chocolate chips
  • M&Ms
Monster Cookie Bars are a crowd-pleasing cookie favorite!

Monster Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, vanilla, syrup, and baking soda.

Stir in the peanut butter. Add the oats and stir again until well combined. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Press the dough into the bottom of a large baking sheet, or jelly roll pan. Top with the m&ms and lightly press them into the dough.

Bake for 16-17 minutes, until the bars are lightly browned and just past looking wet on top. They will not be firm, but they will set up as they cool. 

close up of cookie bars topped with m&ms

If you’ve been hanging out with me for long at all, you know my long for EASY desserts. Dessert Bars are a terrific way to feed a crowd.

Almond Joy Brownies are an impressive dessert when topped with Homemade Ice Cream and Hot Fudge Sauce.

Cinnamon Pecan Shortbread Bars are perfect with a cup of coffee and I love having them stashed in the freezer.

Check out all of the Gluten Free Dessert Recipes on this website!

4.75 from 8 votes

Monster Cookie Bars

Avatar photoMary Younkin
Full of chocolate chips, chewy oats, crunchy peanut butter, and M&M candies, Monster Cookie Bars are a fun, convenient twist on the old favorite.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 48 small bars
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Ingredients 

  • cup butter room temperature
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1⅓ cups white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
  • 6 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup m&m candies for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, vanilla, syrup, and baking soda. Stir in the peanut butter. Add the oats and stir again until well combined. Mix in the chocolate chips.
  • Press the dough into the bottom of a large baking sheet, or jelly roll pan. Top with the m&ms and lightly press them into the dough. Bake for 16-17 minutes, until the bars are lightly browned and just past looking wet on top. They will not be firm, but they will set up as they cool.

Nutrition

Calories: 156 kcal | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Trans Fat: 0.1 g | Cholesterol: 21 mg | Sodium: 65 mg | Potassium: 77 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 18 g | Vitamin A: 105 IU | Vitamin C: 0.01 mg | Calcium: 21 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

{originally published 7/24/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/20/24}

close up of a Monster Cookie Bar

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Rating




41 Comments

  1. Bella says:

    I LOVE THIS

    1. Mary Younkin says:

      Me too, Bella! I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe.

  2. Susan says:

    This is the official cookie of my son’s high school lacrosse and football teams. It’s quick to make and travels well and has become my go-to recipe. It may be sacrilege to a monster cookie but I don’t add the m&ms because we think it’s too sweet with them.5 stars

    1. Mary Younkin says:

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying the cookie bars!!

  3. Peggy Lampkins says:

    Hi Mary, I want to save this recipe to my favorites but I don’t see the “heart” button. All I see is Pinterest, Facebook etc….. Please advise me how to save recipes. Thanks.4 stars

    1. Mary Younkin says:

      You might try refreshing the page or trying from a mobile device (or computer if you’re on mobile now). The hearts are still there on my page.