Monster Cookies

Ideal pack food is high in protein and carbohydrates to fuel your body for walking and staying warm. It should be easy to eat without utensils, not be too aromatic, feature quiet packaging, and it should taste good! The oatmeal and peanut butter in these oversized cookies make them great energy food for hunting or hiking, and just one makes you feel full and satisfied when you need a boost.

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Yield: About 5 dozen 3” cookies

Prep time: 30 minutes

Bake time: 15-18 minutes per sheet

1 c. all-purpose flour

4 tsp. baking soda

6 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

½ lb. (2 sticks) margarine, softened

1 lb. light brown sugar

2 c. granulated sugar

2 tsp. light corn syrup

1 ½ lb. creamy peanut butter

8 c. old-fashioned oats

½ lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ lb. M & M candies

Preheat oven to 325°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking soda. In another small bowl, whisk eggs until yolks and whites are completely combined then whisk in the vanilla extract. In the large bowl of a stand mixer on medium-low speed, combine margarine, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter until completely incorporated, scraping bowl as needed. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture and half the oats and mix until combined. Transfer to a very large bowl and stir in the remaining 4 c. oats, chocolate chips and M & M candies. Using a large ice cream scoop drop 6-8 mounds of dough onto the prepared sheet leaving 2-3 inches between each and flatten slightly with a lightly damp hand. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until deep golden brown and set in the center. Allow cookies to cool for several minutes on the sheet then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

I discovered this recipe almost 25 years ago in a Ducks Unlimited cookbook. The original version doubled the proportions provided here and took the help of my husband and both kids working in shifts to get the huge amount of batter mixed by hand, then took the better part of a day to bake them all. If you’re planning ahead for hunting season, get the kids involved, double the recipe and make a huge batch for the freezer. They are sturdy enough to hold up to a rough ride in a backpack and taste great with a thermos of hot coffee. If you’re home, pop one in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and pour yourself a big glass of cold milk. Either way, you’ll be satisfied!