How to Make Monster Cookies – A Valentine Tradition

From the time the kids were little until she could no longer cook, my mother-in-law, Linda, always made the kids the best Monster Cookies for Valentine’s Day.

The kids would look forward to these scrumptious cookies every year. With a copy of her hand written recipe in hand, let me show you how to make Monster Cookies – a Valentine tradition.

Monster Cookie Memories

Before I share the recipe, I have to share a funny story about Jacob and these Monster Cookies. If you knew Jacob, you knew that his weakness was sweets. He loved anything sweet, but especially chocolate more than just about anything else in the world.

Jacob had gotten a Fossil watch for Christmas. Back then, $80 – $90 was a lot of money for a kid’s watch. Around Valentine’s Day, he realized that he had lost it. We were searching everywhere for it, but he was as calm as ever. He told us not to worry about it, because eventually he would find it.

That afternoon, Granny Linda and Papaw brought over the Valentine Monster Cookies. Both Shea and Jacob had their own large cookie in a heart shaped cake pan.

We left for church that night, and Jacob left his on his bed (which he wasn’t supposed to do). When we came home, our new dog Harry had eaten almost the entire cookie!

Jacob nearly lost his mind! You would not have believed that Jacob was the same person who was so calm, cool, and collected about losing the watch. He was furious and busted out crying (literally), “Harry ate my cookie!”

He ended up calling Granny Linda, and of course she made him another one. All ended well for him. It was us who had an issue with a sick dog throughout the night!

Any time I think about Monster Cookies, that story comes to mind. We all loved her Monster Cookies, even the dog!

The above quote is by the site, “ChoosingYourBattles.com.” See their post entitled, Creating New Family Traditions in 15 Minutes or Less.

Granny Linda’s Monster Cookies Recipe (8 Dozen)

Instructions

This is a very easy recipe, but it is a little time consuming because of the amount of cookies it makes. It can easily be cut in half to make 4 dozen cookies instead.

I have not had luck using an electric mixer or a stand mixer. There is too much dough, and it is thick. I found the best way for me to mix them was to use a large mixing bowl and a sturdy wooden or silicone spoon.

You can also use a medium cookie scoop to help make the cookies the same size.

Granny Linda would make each family a stack of cookies in a tall Valentine’s baggie. However, as mentioned above, the grandkids would get giant monster cookies in a heart shaped cake pan. My kids loved this gift!

Other Tips and Options

This is such a great recipe that I wouldn’t change a thing, but I know that people have different tastes. Here are some tips to make sure everything goes well, and options for changing it up a little bit if you want.

• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the Monster Cookies do not stick to the pan.
• Store Monster Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
• You can freeze extra Monster Cookies by placing them in a freezer bag and making sure all of the air is squeezed out of it.
• Baking time will vary according to your oven and how crispy or chewy you want your cookies. Make them the perfect texture for your preference.
• For chewy monster cookies, bake the cookies a little less time.
• You can use creamy peanut butter or the crunchy peanut butter version.
• Add in some Reese’s Pieces or Peanut Butter Chips for more peanut butter flavor.
• If you like butterscotch, you could add butterscotch chips.
• Add white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for a different flavor.
• Put the monster cookie dough into a cake pan and make Monster Cookie Bars. Just bake them a little less time so they are easier to cut.

I just placed a Wal-Mart order, and wouldn’t you know it, they are out of the heart-shaped pans. These four silicone pans were on Amazon, so I got them instead. These are probably better anyway, because I can reuse them each year.

Here is the link to these cute silicone heart pans.

As you can tell, this recipe makes a large amount. You can either cut the recipe down, or make 8 dozen like Granny Linda did to bless many people. Let the Valentine tradition continue!

Recipe Card

You can print this recipe card to keep it handy, or pin the recipe on Pinterest for later use.

Yield: 8 Dozen

Monster Cookies

Print

These Monster Cookies are filled with so much chocolate and peanut butter goodness, and they are topped with love!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 37 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 C. Margarine or Butter
• 1 Lb. Brown Sugar (About 2 1/4 Cups, Packed)
• 2 C. Karo Sugar
• 6 Eggs
• 1 1/2 t. Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 t. Corn Syrup
• 4 t. Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 Lb. Peanut Butter (2 3/4 Cups)
• 9 C. Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 Lb. M&M Candies (Plain Chocolate Candies) - (or 16 oz.)
• 6 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients in order until well blended.
2. Drop tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet and mash down some to help dough hold together.
3. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly before removing from pan. Afterward, you can place them on a wire rack to continue cooling.

Notes

Baking time will vary according to your oven and how crispy or chewy you want your cookies.

Lessons from Monster Cookies

These cookies were made with love. We are called to love one another at all times, not just at Valentine’s Day.

Let people know how much you value them and their gifts. I know Jacob’s phone call to Granny Linda that night was just about a cookie, but I can only imagine how that may have made her feel. He definitely let her know that she and her gift were both highly valued.

Related Posts

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The True Definition of Love
How to Make the Best Turtle Cheesecake

Until next week…

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“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13