Next, I fold in the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, and baking soda until everything is mixed. It’s quite a workout for the arms! With that, I like to add a pinch of salt to enhance all those wonderful flavors. This is when I also toss in my chocolate chips and M&Ms, giving it a good stir. The burst of color from the M&Ms is just so cheerful, and watching them mix in is like art in motion!
Now comes the fun part—scooping! Using my cookie scoop, I form small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I usually leave a little space between each one, though they won’t spread like traditional cookies. Once they’re all scooped and lined up, I pop them in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes, which helps them set and makes them easier to enjoy later.
While they chill, I take a moment to clean up my kitchen and appreciate the delightful scents wafting from my creations. After the chilling time is up, I take them out and let them firm up a bit longer at room temperature, and voilà! I have my Monster Cookie Balls ready to be devoured!
Pro Tips for Best Results
When I first started making these Monster Cookie Balls, I tried different types of peanut butter—natural, creamy, and even crunchy. I found that creamy peanut butter gives the best consistency and a smooth texture, but if you’re a fan of a little crunch, go for the crunchy version!
Also, I experimented quite a bit with the types of chocolate and M&Ms. It turns out that using mini M&Ms enhances the distribution of chocolatey goodness in every bite, making them even more delightful. It’s all about personal preference, and the fun part is adapting it to what you love most!
Lastly, I realized that letting the dough chill not only makes the balls easier to shape but also helps meld the flavors together beautifully. The patience pays off, trust me!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in the past was skipping the chilling step. I just couldn’t wait! The result was a more gooey texture, which can be delicious but not as easy to manage. Chilling keeps the Cookie Balls from falling apart, making them much easier to roll and handle. (See the next page below to continue…)