Description
A delicious and easy no-bake monster cookie recipe featuring a chewy peanut butter and oat base loaded with miniature M&M’s and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. Perfect for a quick treat with no oven required!
Ingredients
Scale
Base Mixture
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons quick cooking oats, pulsed in food processor
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups quick cooking oats, not pulsed
- 8 tablespoons miniature M&M’s
Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons miniature M&M’s
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8-inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper and set it aside to make removal of bars easier later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Peanut Butter and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the creamy peanut butter thoroughly. Add the 6 tablespoons of pulsed quick oats, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing well. Then slowly fold in the remaining 1½ cups of whole quick oats and 8 tablespoons of miniature M&M’s, ensuring an even distribution.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Firmly press the cookie dough mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface for even thickness.
- Prepare Chocolate Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with the heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Spread Chocolate and Add M&M’s: Pour and spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cookie dough base. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of miniature M&M’s on top for extra color and crunch.
- Chill to Set: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until the bars are fully set and firm.
- Serve: Once set, lift the bars out using the foil/parchment, cut into squares, and enjoy your no-bake monster cookies.
Notes
- Using pulsed quick oats helps add a softer texture to the cookie base.
- Make sure the butter is softened for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with half-and-half but the chocolate topping will be less rich.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- For a nut-free alternative, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and ensure M&M’s are nut-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 45g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: no-bake cookies, monster cookies, peanut butter cookies, no-bake dessert, M&M cookies, easy cookies, chocolate peanut butter bars
