Monster Cookies

The thing I have a problem with when I make cookies is that they are always one kind- peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal, etc. I'm the kind of gal that likes to make her own ice cream so that I can put EVERYTHING in it and top it with more goodies. It makes sense that Monster Cookies would appeal to me because they are chock full of delicious things, and you get to choose what you add. Win!

So I'm in my kitchen, happily mixing up my usual Monster Cookie recipe and I reach for the peanut butter jar. It feels light....and it's making a tinkling sound? What the heck? The spoons inside explained what had happened without anyone saying a word. My peanut butter had been robbed. Now I had to hit the internets and find a recipe that didn't include peanut butter. Can I just tell you how hard that was? Virtually every. single. recipe. you can find has peanut butter in it.

And then....

I found this recipe and I made it. I liked it so much that it's going to replace my older monster cookie recipe. It's so good!!

Monster Cookies
adapted from this recipe

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups oats
4 cups total of the following ingredients:

• M&M's
• Reese's Pieces
• Chocolate Chips
• White Chocolate Chips
• Peanut Butter Chips
• Butterscotch Chips
• Peanuts
• Almonds
• Pecans
• Walnuts
• Macadamia Nuts
• Coconut
• Pretzels

Mix the butter, sugar and eggs until well combined and fluffy. Add in vanilla; stir well. Add in dry ingredients and mix. Beat in your 4 cups of extra goodness and stir to combine. Drop by heaping tablespoon onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. *Important* Take these out before they look totally done. If you end up freezing any, they will be just as soft and good as they were fresh. Makes approx. 4 dozen

A word of warning though- apparently the name "Monster Cookies" is misleading to small children. I told my girls that I was making Monster Cookies and they were VERY disappointed that they didn't actually LOOK like monsters. After tasting the cookies, they decided that is was ok not to look like monster because they taste so good! :)