Loaded Candy Bar Cookies
Perfect chocolate chip cookies become irresistible when combined with a medley of candy bar mix-ins, creating a delightful fall recipe. Tackle your leftover candy stash with this creative baking recipe, turning pantry clutter into decadent cookies. Each bite offers chewy textures, gooey chocolate, and the exciting surprise of nougat, caramel, or crisped rice. Inspired by post-Trunk-or-Treat candy collections, these cookies deliver a unique flavor with every piece of bartered candy. Perfect for holiday treats, they bring together nostalgia and indulgence in every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- This fun recipe is ideal for baking solo or baking with kids, offering an enjoyable and creative fall weekend project.
- Loaded Candy Bar Cookies are simple to make and irresistibly packed with flavor.
- Achieve the perfect chewy texture with a soft middle and golden edges, thanks to butter, brown sugar, and an extra egg yolk.
- Add variety by using candy bars, like chocolate or peanut butter-filled, making customizable and unique cookies every time.
- Transform leftover candy into a delicious and easy solution to repurpose candy sitting in the pantry.
Candy Bar Cookies
These candy bar cookies are a perfect fun way to use up Halloween candy and get creative with favorite candy bars. Simply mix your favorite candy and candy bars into a batch of dough, creating personalized cookies everyone will love. It’s become a fun tradition in our house to use leftover candy as mix-ins for these delicious, customizable recipe cookies. Whether baking solo or with kids, it’s a perfect baking tradition for the whole family, transforming your candy stash into sweet treats that are fun to make and even better to eat.
Candy Bar Cookies Ingredients
- Butter: Provides richness and helps create a soft texture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a chewy texture with a hint of molasses flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps cookies spread evenly.
- Eggs & Egg Yolk: Bind the ingredients and add moisture for a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the cookies.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Leavening agents that create light and fluffy cookies.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: Provide melty, rich chocolate bursts in every bite.
- Candy Bars (Chopped): Add variety with chunks of caramel, nougat, or nuts for a customizable treat.
Step-by-Step Instruction
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Tool
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Ensure everything is fully incorporated for a smooth batter.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Whisk together the dry ingredients: baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour. Gradually mix them into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Step 5: Fold in Candy Pieces
Gently fold in chocolate chips and chopped candy bars. Ensure the candy pieces are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Step 6: Portion and Bake
Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of spacing. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these gooey treats warm for the best experience.
Baking Tips for Success
Achieve the perfect texture and flavor by starting with room temperature ingredients like softened butter and eggs. This ensures a smooth, uniform dough. Remember, don’t overmix the flour—stop when just combined to avoid tough cookies. Leave about 2 inches between cookies on the sheet as they spread while baking. These tips help create perfect cookies with a balance of softness and structure for the best baking success.
Room Temperature Ingredients
When baking cookies, butter and eggs should not be at complete room temperature. Ideally, let them sit for 15-30 minutes before starting the cookie mixing process. The butter should be soft enough to make a small finger imprint but not so warm that you can easily push through it. This ensures the cookie preparation will result in the perfect cookie texture and consistent baking.
How to Store Cookies
To keep your baked cookies fresh, place them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag to retain their flavor and texture. For longer preservation, freeze cookie dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer-safe container. When needed, simply defrost and enjoy their same-day freshness. These make thoughtful gifts too; pack a few in a cellophane bag for a delightful surprise. Proper airtight storage ensures your cookies stay as delicious as the day they were made, whether for personal indulgence or sharing with loved ones.
New Recipe To Try
How do I store candy bar cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Why are my cookies spreading too much in the oven?
Your dough may be too warm. Chill it for 15-30 minutes before baking to help cookies hold their shape.
How can I ensure my cookies are soft and chewy?
Avoid overbaking and measure flour correctly to prevent dense or dry cookies.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just ensure your mixing bowl is large enough and adjust baking sheet space accordingly.
What’s the best way to chop candy bars for the dough?
Use a sharp knife and chop them into bite-sized pieces for even distribution in the cookies.
Loaded Candy Bar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped candy bars use your favorite, like Snickers, M&Ms, or KitKat
- ½ cup chopped nuts optional, like walnuts or peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated into the batter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour to create your dry ingredients.
- Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped candy bars gently to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each portion 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, ensuring the edges turn golden while the centers remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool briefly on the sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to complete the cooling process.
