These Christmas Monster Cookies are soft, chewy and loaded with dairy-free white chocolate and festive holiday candy coated chocolate gems. Made with a wholesome and delightful blend of almond flour, cashew butter, coconut sugar and more, they make the perfect gluten-free holiday treat.
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Updated December 2023
Christmas Monster Cookies: A Festive Delight for the Season
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread joy and sweetness than with a batch of Christmas Monster Cookies? These delightful treats are not only visually appealing but also a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds singing.
Whether you’re catering to a gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free crowd, this versatile and festive Christmas cookie recipe has got you covered.
What are Monster Cookies?
Monster cookies are a type of cookie that typically includes a variety of mix-ins such as oats, chocolate chips, nuts, and sometimes candies. They are known for their chewy and hearty texture, offering a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors in each bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Superfine Almond Flour: A key player in creating a soft and chewy texture. For a nut-free alternative, try tiger nut flour or gluten-free fine oat flour.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that contribute to the cookies’ light and fluffy consistency.
- Fine Sea Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the sweetness.
- Melted Vegan Butter: For a dairy-free option, or substitute with refined coconut oil or regular unsalted butter for a classic touch.
- Coconut Sugar: A natural sweetener that adds a subtle caramel flavor. Swap with brown sugar or a brown sugar substitute such as Lakanto golden monk fruit sweetener or Brown Swerve for a lower sugar option.
- Flax Eggs: A plant-based alternative for binding. If you’re not following a plant-based diet, regular eggs work just as well.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic undertone to elevate the cookie’s flavor.
- Creamy Cashew Butter: Offers a rich and nutty taste; however, feel free to experiment with peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free twist.
- Coconut Flakes and Sliced Almonds: Chopped and mixed for a delightful crunch. If you’re not grain-free, consider using gluten-free quick oats.
- Sugar-Free Dairy-Free White Chocolate Chips: Indulge guilt-free with options like Pascha’s Chocolate, Enjoy Life, or Lily’s Sweets for a lower sugar alternative.
Optional:
- Mini Holiday M&M Chips or Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips. These add a festive touch, or you can customize with your favorite candy-coated gems such as Keto Gemz, Unreal Dark Chocolate Gems or Lily’s Sweets No-Sugar Added Dark Chocolate Candy Coated Pieces.
Instructions: How to make Christmas Monster Cookies
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together superfine almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Stir in the mix of roughly chopped coconut flakes and sliced almonds (or substitute with gluten-free quick oats).
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together melted vegan butter, coconut sugar (or preferred substitute), flax eggs (or regular eggs), pure vanilla extract, and creamy cashew butter (or your chosen nut or seed butter).
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently combining them with a wooden spoon or spatula until just incorporated. Fold in sugar-free dairy-free white chocolate chips and optional mini holiday M&M chips.
- Chill the Dough: Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Preheat and Scoop Dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Using a large cookie scoop, measure and roll 2-1/2 tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared sheets.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes for a soft and underbaked texture. Press a few additional chocolate chips and M&M’s into each cookie if desired. Cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips for Success – Enhanced Edition
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing. Cold ingredients can affect the dough’s consistency.
- Mindful Mixing: Use a wooden spoon or spatula for gentle mixing. This helps maintain the cookie’s texture and prevents overworking the dough.
- Perfectly Shaped Cookies: Invest in a quality cookie scoop for uniform-sized cookies. This ensures even baking and a polished presentation.
- Chill the Dough: Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for optimal texture and flavor.
- Precise Mixing: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients until just incorporated. Overmixing can affect the cookies’ final texture.
Variations to Spark Creativity
- Festive Spice Infusion: Add a dash of seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm and comforting flavor twist.
- Citrus Burst: Grate some orange or lemon zest into the dough for a citrusy freshness that cuts through the sweetness.
- Trail Mix Magic: Swap out the almonds and coconut for your favorite trail mix blend. The variety of nuts and dried fruits will add a delightful surprise in every bite.
- Dark Chocolate Delight: Experiment with dark chocolate chunks instead of white chocolate for a rich and decadent flavor profile.
- Classic Monster Cookies: Swap out the cashew butter with peanut butter and use classic candy coated chocolate M&M’s like our Monster Cookies, Monster Cookie Bites, Monster Cookie Bars or our Oreo Cookie Skillet.
Serving Suggestions – Elevate Your Cookie Experience
Pair these Christmas M&M cookies with a cup of cocoa, spiced tea, or your favorite holiday beverage. Share the joy by gifting them in beautifully wrapped packages or here are some more ideas:
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Create festive ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream between two Christmas Oatmeal Cookies.
- Cookie Sundaes: Crumble these gluten-free Christmas cookies over a bowl of vanilla or coconut milk ice cream, and drizzle with dairy-free caramel or chocolate sauce.
- Cookie Decorating Party: Arrange a cookie decorating station with various toppings like crushed candy canes, shredded coconut, and extra chocolate chips. Let everyone personalize their cookies.
- Hot Cocoa Dunkers: These cookies are perfect for dunking into a steaming cup of hot cocoa, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread Latte or another festive drink. The melting chocolate and chewy texture complement the warm drink wonderfully.
- Cookie Platter Elegance: Arrange these festive Christmas cookies or festive platters or Christmas Cookie Boxes with other holiday treats for a visually appealing spread.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Keep your Christmas Oatmeal Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer enjoyment, freeze the dough or baked cookies and indulge whenever the festive craving strikes. Here’s a guide on how to store them for maximum enjoyment:
- Room Temperature Storage: Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep them at room temperature for up to a week. This method is ideal for short-term storage when the cookies are intended to be enjoyed promptly.
- Refrigeration Option: If you plan to savor these treats over a more extended period, consider storing them in the refrigerator. This will help maintain their freshness and texture. Again, use an airtight container to prevent any odors from affecting the cookies.
- Freezing for Future Delight: Christmas Monster Cookies freeze exceptionally well. To freeze the cookie dough, shape it into individual balls and place them on a tray in the freezer until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a resealable bag or container. When the craving strikes, bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Already Baked Cookies: Alternatively, freeze already baked and cooled cookies. Separate layers with parchment paper in an airtight container or resealable bag. Thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or microwave for a quick warm-up.
- Reviving Stale Cookies: If your cookies lose some of their freshness, you can revive them by placing a slice of bread in the container. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread, rejuvenating their texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough? Absolutely! Shape the cookie dough into individual balls, freeze on a tray until solid, and then transfer to a resealable bag. Bake directly from the freezer, adjusting the baking time as needed.
- What’s the Best Way to Store Already Baked Cookies? For short-term freshness, store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, consider refrigerating or freezing your Christmas Monster cookies with layers separated by parchment paper.
- Can I Subsitute Ingredients for Dietary Preferences? Certainly! Experiment with different nut or seed butters, flour alternatives, or sugar substitutes based on your dietary needs and preferences.
- How Do I Revive Stale Cookies? Place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread, revitalizing their texture.
- Are These Cookies Kid-Friendly? Absolutely! These cookies are a hit with all ages. You can involve kids in the baking process or host a cookie decorating party with various toppings.
- Can I Customize the Mix-Ins? Certainly! Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins. Try different types of chocolate, nuts, or even dried fruits to add your unique touch.
- How Do I Prevent Overmixing the Dough? Use a wooden spoon or spatula and mix gently until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can affect the cookies’ texture.
- Can I Add Spices to the Dough? Absolutely! Enhance the festive feel by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to infuse warmth and depth into the cookies.
- How Can I Make Ice Cream Sandwiches with These Cookies? Simply sandwich a scoop of your favorite dairy-free ice cream between two cookies for a delightful ice cream sandwich experience.
- Can I Decorate These Cookies for Special Occasions? Certainly! Get creative with cookie decorations. Consider icing, sprinkles, or additional candy toppings for a personalized touch.
More gluten-free holiday cookies you will love:
These Christmas Monster Cookies are soft, chewy and loaded with dairy-free white chocolate and festive holiday candy coated chocolate gems. Made with a wholesome and delightful blend of almond flour, cashew butter, coconut sugar and more, they make the perfect gluten-free holiday treat.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup melted vegan butter , you can also sub with refined coconut oil, or regular unsalted butter if you're not dairy-free
- 1 1/3 cups coconut sugar , you can also sub with brown sugar or preferred brown sugar substitute such as Lakanto golden monk fruit sweetener or Brown Swerve for a lower sugar option.
- 2 flax eggs , to make flax eggs, combine 5 tablespoons water + 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds & let it sit for 5 minutes or until thick and gel-like. You can also sub with 2 regular eggs if you're not plant-based.
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup creamy cashew butter , cashew butter will give you the best flavor but you can also substitute with peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- 3 1/4 cups a mix of roughly chopped coconut flakes + roughly chopped sliced almonds . , You can also sub with gluten-free quick oats (not rolled oats) if you're not grain-free.
- 1 cup sugar-free dairy-free white chocolate chips . or chopped white chocolate , such as Pascha's Chocolate, Enjoy Life or Lily's Sweets for a lower sugar option
- 1 cup mini holiday M&M chips , OR sub with dairy-free chocolate chips of choice or preferred candy coated gems of your choice such as Keto Gemz, Unreal Dark Chocolate Gems or Lily's Sweets No-Sugar Added Dark Chocolate Candy Coated Pieces.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir in the chopped coconut and almonds.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and coconut sugar together until smooth & combined. Whisk in the vanilla, cashew butter followed by the flax egg (or regular) until well incorporated. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined.
Fold in the white chocolate chips and M&M's reserving 1/4 cup of each for topping if desired.
- Place dough in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Once the dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Using a large cookie scoop or measure and roll 2-1/2 tablespoon size cookie dough balls. Place about 8 balls onto prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 9-12 minutes for a soft and underbaked cookie. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Press a piece or two of the remaining chocolate chips and M&M's into each cookie if desired. Cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Rachel -
Mmm these cookies look so delicious, and perfect for Santa! They look so soft and chewy.
Justine -
These look like the perfect holiday cookie! So good!
Christy -
I love how thick and chewy these cookies are! The festive M&M’s are a wonderful touch for Christmas!
Diane -
Wow, these cookies look sensational! Thank you for sharing!
Brie -
I love oatmeal cookies. These look so thick and chewy!