Every Sunday has a rhythm, and for many, that includes catching up with favorite shows and maybe whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. Inspired by the delightful Pioneer Woman and her ranch-style cooking, I stumbled upon her Monster Cookies recipe. While not your classic, everyday chocolate chip cookies, these are a delightful twist that brings so much more to the cookie jar.
You might be wondering, “Monster Cookies?” What exactly makes them monstrous? Well, it’s not just about size, though Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, tends to bake them quite large. The real monster in these cookies is the incredible combination of textures and flavors. Imagine sinking your teeth into a chewy oatmeal cookie, then getting a burst of chocolate chips, colorful mini M&Ms, crunchy cashews, and a surprising crispness from Rice Krispies. It’s a party in every bite!
I decided to bake a batch of these Pioneer Woman Monster Cookies recently, and they were a hit. I adapted the size slightly from Ree’s gigantic version to make them more manageable for sharing and snacking. Instead of making just six massive cookies per sheet, I opted for a more standard cookie size, yielding about 48 delicious treats. This way, there’s plenty to go around!
What makes these cookies so special? It’s the medley of ingredients. Oatmeal provides a wonderful chewiness and wholesome flavor, while the mini M&Ms and chocolate chips deliver that classic chocolatey sweetness everyone loves. The cashews add a satisfying crunch and a hint of saltiness that balances the sweetness perfectly. And the Rice Krispies? They bring a unique, light crispness that you wouldn’t expect but absolutely enhances the overall texture. It’s truly everything you could want in a cookie!
Ready to try your hand at these delightful Pioneer Woman inspired cookies? Here’s the recipe, slightly adapted for home bakers:
Recipe: Pioneer Woman Monster Cookies (Chocolate Chip Cookie Variation)
Adapted from The Pioneer Woman
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon if using salted nuts)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (quick or regular)
- 1 cup mini chocolate candies (like M&Ms)
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, cashews, or walnuts work well)
- 2 1/4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the oats, mini M&Ms, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until just incorporated.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The center may still appear slightly soft, but they will continue to set as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these wonderfully textured and flavorful Pioneer Woman Monster Cookies – a delightful twist on classic chocolate chip cookies that’s sure to become a family favorite!
