Grandma's Monster Cookies

If there is one nostalgic treat I remember having most often at my Grandma Cail's house, it's monster cookies.

Although they are called monster cookies, there is nothing scary about them. The name actually comes from the recipe itself being so large. I didn't realize this until I asked my Grandma to write the recipe out for me. 

Yeah... 

3 pounds of peanut butter?

a dozen eggs?

18 cups of quick oats??

I knew I was going to need to make some changes...

After a bit of math and calling my Grandma to make sure it was right (she was actually making a large batch the day I called, a dozen eggs and all!) I was ready to begin.

**Just a note. Although these definitely can be made in such a large batch, the amounts I'm sharing here are for a more standard size batch of cookies.**

First, combine 1/2 cup (1 stick) of softened butter with 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 1/2 cups peanut butter, and 3 eggs.

Next, add 1 Tbsp. vanilla and 2 tsp baking soda. Stir to combine. 

Mix in 4 1/2 cups quick oats (I used old fashioned in the batch I made this time).

Stir in about 2/3 cup chocolate chips, 2/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional), and 2/3 cup m&m's. 

Drop by spoonful's onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350℉ for 9-12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a while before removing them to a cooling rack.

Once these cookies were done, it was fun to share them with my kids. And who knows, maybe they'll become my signature grandkid treat some day too and I'll actually need the full recipe!