Guest Blogger: Merlot from "Goddess of Baking"

I'm excited to announce that I have a guest blogger today - Merlot from "Goddess of Baking." I'm sure you all remember the amazing Hi-Hat Cupcakes she linked up to Sweets for a Saturday several weeks ago and now she's here to share her Monster Cookies with all of you.

Merlot started off baking for her friends and family and thought that a blog would be a good idea as a way to share her recipes and photos with others. Although she has only been in the blogging world for the past few months, she is already loving the experience. So enjoy her Monster Cookies and be sure to check out her beautiful blog HERE for more of her delicious creations.

Monster Cookies

These are the type of cookies you can make with whatever you have in your pantry. They are great if you have leftover ingredients from other recipes and want to just through in some of this and some of that. I had leftover Rice Krispies that I was determined to use before they went stale. I also conveniently had a package of M&Ms, and all the other ingredients, but this recipe is very versatile and you can add whatever you want. They turned out really amazing and have a texture like no other cookie due to the rice crispy crunch and creamy peanut butter cookie base. These are definitely a crowd pleaser and I encourage you to try these!

Recipe: Yield 3 dozen

1/2 Cup Butter - 1 stick unsalted

1/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar - light or dark - I used dark

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter - creamy or crunchy

1 Egg

1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla

3/4 Cup Flour

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Oats

1/2 Cup M&Ms - I only had one regular size package which was only just over 1/4 cups so I would recommend more... (but optional)

1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips (Optional, can also use Peanut Butter Chips, or White Chocolate Chips)

1 1/2 Cup Rice Krispies

Other Options:

Chopped nuts

Reese's Pieces

Peanut M&Ms

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.


2. In your KitchenAid, cream butter with sugars and peanut butter until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat.


3. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Add to mixing bowl and mix till combined.


4. After that, add in remaining ingredients in whatever quantity you prefer. Add more M&Ms if you’d like, or more chocolate chips, or some peanut butter chips.


5. Add Rice Krispies at the very end, mixing until just combined. Do not over mix!


6. Use a cookie scoop to scoop balls of dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes, then allow to cool on a rack.


7. Enjoy!!