Halloween baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun! These Halloween Monster Cookies are big, chewy, colorful and loaded with all the good stuff — oats, chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces and Halloween M&M’s.

The little candy eyeballs make them just spooky enough without being too spooky, so they’re perfect for Halloween parties, school treats, movie nights or an October weekend baking project with the kids. And honestly, half the fun is throwing all that Halloween candy into the bowl!

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup Halloween M&M’s
• 1 cup Reese’s Pieces
• Candy eyes, as desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
5. Fold in oats, chocolate chips, Halloween M&M’s and Reese’s Pieces.
6. Scoop dough into roughly 2-Tbsp. balls and place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently press a few extra candies and candy eyes onto the tops.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
8. Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tip: Don’t overbake them! Pulling them out while the centers still look a little soft gives you those thick, chewy monster cookies.

Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Makes: About 30 cookies