Pretty please don’t tell the monster cookie police, but this isn’t a “true” monster cookie.
Unless you count throwing some pumpkin pudding mix and a bunch of candy into a cookie, then it’s all monster, all the time, baby.
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Sometimes, as a food blogger, I feel the need to come up with creative food names for my treats. I have it in my head that the more complicated the name, somehow, the better the treat sounds.
I also have a similar problem shopping: the more expensive an item is, the better it must be, right? (Here’s looking at you, Betsey Johnson. Your stuff is drool-worthy but also a tearjerker for my wallet).
But ohmahgravy, when it comes to food names, I like ’em crazy and embellished. Like my outfits.
Hence the name ‘monster’ cookies. So they aren’t traditional monster cookies. Sue me. But they’re chocolate-y, pumpkin-y, peanut butter-y, chewy, crunchy, and totally perfect-y. So whether or not you’re a true monster cookie snot, you should probably make them.
It’ll change yo life and stuff.
Pumpkin Pudding Monster Cookies *basic pudding cookie recipe adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 oz) pkg pumpkin spice pudding mix
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
About a cup each chopped Reese’s PB cups, miniature M&M’s, candy corn (white chocolate) M&M’s, or really any freakin’ candy you want
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two muffin tins with silicone liners or spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the butter + sugars until creamy. Add in the pudding mix (just the powdered mix), eggs, and vanilla until incorporated. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt + pumpkin pie spice; gradually add this mixture to the wet mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir the candies in by hand.
3. Drop by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2″ apart. Bake for approx. 10-12 minutes, rotating pans halfway through bake time, until lightly golden and centers are just about set.
4. Cool about 5-10 minutes on the pans before carefully transferring to racks to cool completely. Store airtight, at room temperature, for a couple days.
If you’ve never tried pudding cookies, you absolutely must. The pudding mix adds another layer of flavor as well as makes these cookies super moist and chewy–ideal for these densely-candy-stuffed, pumpkin-y concoctions. This would be a great recipe to bookmark for after-Halloween so you can use up some extra candy since I’m sure it’d work equally well with chopped candy bars (Twix, anyone??)
Have a fantastical day!
xo, Hayley
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I need to get my hands on the pumpkin pudding mix before it’s gone for the season! They look delish, Hayley! Love how they are LOADED up too with all the goodies & extras 🙂
Tanya Schroeder says
Just call these delicious!!! You all can debate whether these are monster cookies or not, I’ll just be in the corner with the cookie jar, stuffing my face!!!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
I love monster cookies and all of their variations! Great idea to make them with pumpkin!
Cassie Laemmli (@BakeYourDay) says
Now I think I love YOU. These are amazing!!
The Farm Girl says
Oh I love monster cookies (even if they are the “true” kind). Can’t wait to try them 🙂
crazyforcrust says
I neeeeeeed that pudding mix. OHMY these look so good. Monster for sure!!!
Sarah Ellis says
I’m loving all the pudding desserts that are not pudding recipes lately! YUM 😀
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker says
Great Minds think alike! Wish I could do a cookie exchange with you. My Oatmeal Raisin Pumpkin Pudding Cookies for these Pumpkin Monster Cookies.
The Domestic Rebel says
Deal!! That sounds like a delicious swap 🙂
Whatcha Makin' Now? (@whatchamakinnow) says
Best part of the recipe – “About a cup each chopped Reese’s PB cups, miniature M&M’s, candy corn (white chocolate) M&M’s, or really any freakin’ candy you want”. Love it!
The Domestic Rebel says
We aren’t technical around here, lol. Thank you! 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Love putting pudding into cookies – they make them so soft! These look so good, love the pumpking
Sally says
I need to make pudding cookies once and for all – i have NEVER tried it Hayley! I know, what a travesty! I’ve neve rhad pumpkin pudding either. Are you even believing what I’m typing? I’m a disgrace!!
The Domestic Rebel says
You’re not disgraceful, you just need to come over and let me bake for you! Only if you bring some of that bark. 🙂
Heather says
twix and snickers – chopped up Oh my goodness! I cannot wait to raid my kids buckets:)
ohsweetbasil says
Oh, I’m pretty sure my kiddos would love you and these cookies.
Julie (@tablefortwoblog) says
this is like the mother recipe of all cookie recipes. i use maria’s recipe for like everything now because i’m obsessed with pudding in cookies. they make it so moist and amazing! loveeee these monsters!
The Domestic Rebel says
Right?! The pudding cookie recipe base is totally perfect. I’m so glad I found it!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
I don’t care what you call them–these look awesome! I love pudding cookies and I LOVE this pudding mix. i still have a couple of boxes stashed away…so i just might be making these with leftover Halloween candy in the next few weeks!
lapetitebaker says
Pudding Cookies are one of my favorite types of cookie. However, I think I have only made them once before. This has to be changed, starting with this recipe.
Kelsea Echo says
Ooo… pudding might be exactly what I need for my cookies! My favorites are the super moist ones, so I’m always on the hunt for those. Mmm….
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I’ve never had a pudding cookie but they sound so luscious!
aimeeshugs says
Yum, seems like everyone is making pudding cookies these days. I need to hunt down more boxes of that Pumpkin SPice pudding mix!!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
cookie monster himself would go bananas over these yummy cookies!!!