Mix your favourite leftover candy into a cookie dough and bake into these delicious cookie bars! It's that easy. They've got a brown butter dark sugar cookie bar base, and come together in under 25 minutes!
Halloween has come and gone and that means we all likely have candy sitting around our house. Instead of eating them individually, make these bars!
The best part about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can add in any extra chocolate candy you have. I used Kit Kat's, M&M's, Reese's cups, and Turtle's! Chop it all up, add to your blondie batter, and voila!
I used my Brown Butter Nutella Bars base for this recipe. It's the best! You'll see the steps and ingredients are nearly identical to that recipe.
Ingredients Notes
Scroll to view a few ingredients notes. Full recipe and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Butter – I always use unsalted butter. This will be melted and browned.
Dark brown sugar – This sugar carries more molasses than golden brown or light yellow sugar, which deepens the brown butter flavours. You may use any type of brown sugar.
Egg - Remove two hours before baking.
Halloween Candy - You can add in any extra chocolate candy you have! I used Kit Kat's, M&M's, Reese's cups, and Turtle's!
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake these Leftover Halloween Candy Bars. You will need an 8×8 square pan lined with parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1: Prep the pan. Line two sides of a 8x8 pan with parchment paper and grease the other sides. Set aside.
Step 2: Brown the butter. Check the recipe card below for browning butter steps. Once browned and slightly cooled, whisk with brown sugar for 2-3 minutes. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla for another 2-3 minutes until smooth.
Step 3: Mix the dry and wet ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Step 4: Add in the Halloween candy. Chop up whatever candy you'd like and mix it into the dough.
Step 5: Press the batter into the pan and bake. Evenly press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are a light brown and the middle is still soft and puffy. The bars will continue to bake as they cool.
Step 6: Cool and slice. While the bars are still warm, add more chocolate bars on top if desired. Cool, slice, and enjoy!
FAQ
Do I have to brown the butter?
No! Although if you’re already melting it you may as well brown it. The nutty flavour brown butter gives is a game changer.
How do I know it’s ready?
The edges will be slightly golden brown, but the middle will still be light in colour and slightly puffy. It will continue to bake in the pan as it sets.
Can I add any chocolate bars?
Yes! I always love adding in caramel-type bars (Mars, Twix, Turtle's, etc) for that delicious warm chocolate caramel pull.
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Halloween Candy Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted and browned
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped up candy
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a square 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a medium sized pan over medium heat. Once it melts, it will crackle, then become foamy – continue mixing the butter while this happens to prevent burning. The butter will go from melted to golden brown quickly, and you'll know it's almost done when the aroma of browned butter arrives. The whole process should take about 5 minutes! Once golden, remove from heat and transfer to a glass bowl. Let the butter cool for 30 minutes while you prep on the rest of the recipe.1/2 cup butter
- Whisk together the slightly cooled browned butter and brown sugar. Add in egg and vanilla and continue whisking.1/2 cup dark brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Using a spatula, fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt. The dough will be soft, don't over-mix!1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp salt
- Add in the chopped up candy. Use whatever combination you'd like! I added in M&M's, Reese's, Turtle's, and Kit Kat. Press into your prepared pan.1 1/2 cups chopped up candy
- Bake for 15-17 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the edges are a light brown. The middle may still look underbaked, but it'll continue to bake as it cools.
- Cool the bars, slice and enjoy!
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