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Monster Cookie Bars Recipe – Easy Chewy Halloween Treats Kids Love

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These Monster Cookie Bars are thick, chewy, and loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and playful candy googly eyes. Perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or any festive gathering, they’re quick to make and guaranteed to bring smiles to kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup M&Ms or candy-coated chocolate pieces
  • 30–40 candy googly eyes
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: mini marshmallows or sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick baking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  4. Mix in creamy peanut butter until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in chocolate chips and M&Ms, reserving a handful for topping. Add nuts or extra candies if desired.
  7. Spread dough evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms on top, then gently press candy googly eyes into the surface.
  8. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until edges are golden and center is just set. If using a glass pan, add 2-3 minutes.
  9. Let bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
  10. Lift bars out using parchment overhang, transfer to cutting board, and slice into squares or rectangles. For sharper edges, chill bars for 15 minutes before cutting.

Notes

Do not overbake—the bars should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out. For gluten-free, use almond or oat flour and certified gluten-free oats. For nut-free, use sunflower seed butter and check candies for allergens. Press googly eyes on after baking to prevent melting. Bars freeze well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: monster cookie bars, Halloween treats, chewy cookie bars, peanut butter bars, kids party dessert, easy cookie bars, M&M cookie bars, festive baking, bake sale recipes, party snacks

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/monster-cookie-bars-recipe-easy-chewy-halloween-treats-kids-love/