I consider myself to be a moderately adventurous eater and determined cook. I enjoy expanding my food horizons and working with new ingredients. Saffron, anchovies — bring it on. But I have to admit, every once in a while all I want is a cookie. Not a cookie with sea salt or cocoa nibs, but a simple cookie, filled with goodies that a 10-year-old would go crazy over. Enter Monster Cookies.

There are some spooky recipes out there for Halloween, but Monster Cookies are anything but scary (despite what their name implies). The whole process is beautifully simple: just stir, mix and set the timer. Don't be afraid of a kitchen mess because you'll only need one bowl. The cookies are filled with peanut butter, chocolate chips, M&M's and oats — a baking newbie can’t go wrong when it comes to flavor.

With Halloween just around the corner, now's the perfect time to whip together a fresh batch. They're not particularly sophisticated nor will they get you to the Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium. But they're chewy, chocolatey and delicious. Ghosts and witches, young and old, will sing your praises.

Here are a few things to consider before making this recipe:

• There is no flour in these cookies — you didn't read wrong.
• Listen to Paula and don't overbake the cookies (8-10 minutes tops). They won't change color much and if you keep them in the oven for too long, they become tough.
• If you somehow don't use up the whole 3 dozen cookies within a couple days, I suggest popping a few in the freezer to enjoy with ice cream throughout the week.