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Cozy Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars

leftover halloween candy cookie bars - featured image
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These easy cookie bars are the perfect post-Halloween treat, made with leftover candy and simple pantry staples. Soft, chewy, and studded with melty pockets of caramel and chocolate, they’re a cozy fall dessert that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (about 350g) leftover Halloween candy, roughly chopped (e.g., Snickers, Twix, Reese’s cups)
  • Optional: flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on the two long sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second bursts. Let it cool for about 5 minutes until warm, not hot.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds until pale and slightly thickened.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Pour the flour mixture into the butter-sugar mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in 2 cups of chopped Halloween candy, reserving about ¼ cup to press into the top later.
  7. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it evenly into the corners. Press the reserved candy pieces into the top of the dough.
  8. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center looks set but still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Then use the parchment overhang to lift the entire block onto a cutting board. Slice into 24 squares (6 rows by 4 rows) or 16 larger bars.

Notes

Chop the candy into uneven pieces for pockets of melted candy. Do not overbake; the center should look slightly underdone when you pull the bars out. For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe the blade between cuts. The bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cookie bars, Halloween candy, leftover candy, easy dessert, fall baking, chewy cookie bars

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/cozy-leftover-halloween-candy-cookie-bars-easy-recipe/