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Chewy Monster Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.2 from 13 reviews

These Chewy Monster Cookie Bars combine the best of classic monster cookies into an easy-to-make bar form. Loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and colorful M&M’s, they offer a soft, chewy texture with bursts of chocolate and candy crunch. Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth or sharing at gatherings, these bars bake up golden and moist, requiring just a single pan and minimal prep time.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12-24 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (not margarine)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup (can substitute honey)
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups quick oats
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup M&M’s candy

Topping

  • ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup M&M’s candy

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the cookie bars.
  2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup light brown sugar for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light in color and fluffy.
  3. Add liquids: Beat in 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons light corn syrup, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. Mix in peanut butter and leavening: Stir in ¾ cup creamy peanut butter, followed by 1 teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt until evenly incorporated.
  5. Add dry ingredients: Gradually add 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour and 1 ¾ cups quick oats, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
  6. Fold in chocolates and candies: Mix in ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and ¾ cup M&M’s candy gently to distribute throughout the dough.
  7. Prepare pan and spread dough: Drop the dough in small scoops or spoonfuls into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch metal baking pan. Spread and gently press the dough until smooth. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup M&M’s evenly over the top and gently press them into the surface of the dough.
  8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 28-32 minutes. The bars should be lightly golden brown on the edges and top. Do not overbake; the center should look set but slightly moist for the perfect chewy texture.
  9. Cool completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let the bars cool fully in the pan—cutting too soon will cause crumbling.
  10. Slice and serve: Once completely cooled or slightly chilled, slice the bars into 12-24 squares as preferred. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • For best texture, do not overbake—watch the bars closely as oven times may vary.
  • Use a metal baking pan rather than glass for more even baking of chewy bars.
  • Light corn syrup can be substituted with honey for a different flavor profile.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling and to achieve clean cuts.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness; freeze for extended storage.
  • The dough is sticky; drop it by spoonfuls and then spread rather than trying to place as one big blob.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/chewy-monster-cookie-bars-recipe/