Candy Bar Cookies. If you’re like me, at this point in the year, you have about 79 pounds of excess candy leftover from Halloween. Trick or treating is the reason I keep a very healthy bribery candy jar around. But, this year, I wanted to do something fun with the leftover candy bars.
These brown butter candy bar cookies are the perfect solution for the leftover candy that appears during the holidays. I picked out my favorite chocolate-based candy bars, gave them a chop, and added them to a wonderfully buttery cookie base.
The result? Amazing. the candy bars melt and become a little lacy around the edges providing a perfect crunch. All you need is a glass of milk and a little time.
Let’s get started!
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candy bar cookie ingredients
- salted butter
- white sugar
- brown sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- AP flour
- candy bars – any kind of chocolate-based bar that you like.
- smoked maldon sea salt
brown butter
Brown butter candy bar cookies need brown butter. My love affair with brown butter goes back many years at this point. This simple step absolutely transforms the flavor of the cookies. Don’t skip it. It’s worth it.
To brown the butter, add one stick of butter to a heavy-bottom skillet or pot on medium-high heat. Do not walk away from this step. Stir often. You will see it start to foam and, then, when the foam begins to dissipate, the brown bits should start to become visible.
The brown butter also has a distinctive smell that should be made into a candle. It’s rich and nutty. You’ll definitely be able to tell.
Once the butter is browned, remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
how to make candy bar cookies
Guys, this brown butter cookie dough is the stuff dreams are made of. Its nutty and tender and lovely and alllll the things. As far as how to do it, its very basic. Cream the brown butter and sugar together. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour until just mixed, and then, just fold in the chopped candy bars. That’s it!
I use a tablespoon scoop to help keep everything the same size for baking. Using the scoop, deposit the cookie dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before you move them to a cooling rack.
Once these candy bar cookies come out of the oven, you’ll notice that some have lacy, melted chocolate/caramel puddles. Don’t be alarmed. These are the best parts. They’re sweet and crunchy and just wonderful!
Now, while the cookies are still warm, give them a little sprinkle of smoked sea salt. This gives balance to the sweetness of the cookie. I always add a little salt to my sweets and I hope you will, too!
Attempt not to eat them all at once. They’re so good. I like mine with a cup of hot coffee, the kids love theirs with a glass of cold milk, and my husband just devours them any way he can get them!
frequently asked questions
Candy bar cookies need some candy bars. I used a variety of chocolate-based candy bars. I kept the flavors in the same category, so anything with chocolate, caramel, and nuts was my choice.
Think:
Snickers
Twix
M&Ms
Baby Ruths
Milky Ways
Kit Kats
100 Grand
Crunch Bars
I chopped all of my candy bars into pieces slightly smaller than a regular chocolate chip. You don’t want the pieces to be too big. Just keep them all relatively small and consistent in size.
I would stay away from hard candies or taffy-type candies. These will just melt and make a huge mess in the oven.
other sweets to love
shop the recipe
Candy Bar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2½ cups AP flour
- 4 cups chocolate candy bars, chopped into small pieces I cut my candy bars into pieces slightly larger than a regular chocolate chip
- smoked sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- To brown the butter, cook one stick of butter in a pot on medium-high heat. Stir often. You will see it start to foam and, then, when the foam begins to dissipate, the brown bits should start to become visible. Once the butter is browned, remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Cream the cooled brown butter, remaining stick of butter, and sugar together.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Add the flour, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped candy bar pieces.
- Using a tablespoon scoop, portion dough balls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. I suggest doing 12 dough balls per baking sheet.
- Before you put the dough balls into the oven, give them a little tap on the top. Just to flatten them out slightly. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from oven. The edges will be ever so slightly golden and the top slightly doughy.
- Sprinkle the cookies with a little smoked sea salt and allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Candy Bar Cookies recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
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For another great dessert recipe, try my Espresso Brownies!
other great sweets
If you guys make this Candy Bar Cookie recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every comment!
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