Best Candy Cookie Recipe: Easy and Delicious

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Is there anything better than a warm, chewy cookie packed with chunks of candy? I don’t think so! This Candy Cookie Recipe is my go-to when I need a sweet treat that’s easy to make and totally customizable.

The best part? It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. So, grab your favorite candy bars and let’s get baking!

Table of Contents

Customizable: Use any candy you like.
Perfect for Leftovers: It’s the best way to use up leftover Halloween candy!
Fun to Make: A great activity to do with kids.
Better Than Store-Bought: Trust me, these taste way better than anything you can buy in a store.

1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cane sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 egg
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups assorted chocolate candy bars (such as those with nougat, caramel, or peanut butter fillings), chopped and divided

Let’s talk about why these ingredients are so important. Cold, cubed butter helps create a crumbly texture, which gives our cookies that perfect chewiness. The combination of brown sugar and cane sugar gives depth and a slightly caramelized flavor.

As one chef notes, “The more white sugar you have, the more crispy your cookie will be. The more brown sugar you have, the softer your cookie,” which explains why we use both to get the perfect result. Vanilla bean paste adds a rich, aromatic touch that’s far superior to vanilla extract, in my opinion. Cornstarch keeps the cookies soft, while baking soda helps them rise. Salt balances the sweetness, and all-purpose flour provides the structure.

Finally, the assorted chocolate candy bars bring in all the fun flavors and textures! If you like chocolate, be sure to also check out this Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe!

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream together the butter and sugars on low speed until light and fluffy, approximately 4 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla bean paste, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch. Mix until smooth, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
On a cutting board, finely chop the assorted chocolate candy bars. Then, use a rubber spatula to fold 1 1/2 cups of the mix-ins into the dough.
Using a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop (medium sized), portion the cookie dough balls onto your baking sheet into ~12 even cookies. Gently press the remaining 1/2 cup candy pieces into the top of each cookie before baking.
Bake ON THE BOTTOM/MIDDLE RACK for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the middles have begun to set. Note: the middles may look slightly underdone, but they will continue to bake as they cool.
Optional: Add a pinch of flaky salt to the top of each cookie and let cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Expert Baking Tips for Candy Cookies

For the best cookie texture, always use cold butter. The cold butter prevents the cookies from spreading too thin. Also, don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour; this can lead to tough cookies. I love using a stand mixer for creaming the butter and sugar, but a hand mixer works just as well. Also, invest in a good cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes.

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. For a salty-sweet vibe, I like using candy bars with peanuts, pretzels, or caramel. If you’re a chocolate lover, go all out with chocolate bars filled with nougat and more chocolate!

To prevent the candy from burning, avoid candies with a lot of exposed sugar on top. Some great candy pairings include Snickers and Milky Way, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kats. For holiday-themed cookies, I love using peppermint bark around the holidays or mini Cadbury Eggs around Easter.

To see other tasty treats, take a look at our Bakes & Sweets section.

Want to switch things up? Try using a sugar cookie base for a crispier cookie, or a peanut butter cookie base for added nutty flavor. A brownie-like base will give you super fudgy cookies. The possibilities are endless! Keep in mind that different cookie bases will affect the final texture and flavor, so experiment to find your favorite combination.

Making Your Candy Cookies Look Amazing

Presentation matters! Arrange the candy pieces artfully on top of the cookie dough balls before baking. I like to cut larger candy bars into smaller pieces, so they distribute evenly across the cookie. For a festive touch, you can use holiday-themed sprinkles or edible glitter.

Storing Your Delicious Candy Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.

Cookies spreading too thin? Make sure your butter is cold and don’t overmix the dough. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help.
Cookies too dry? Add a tablespoon of milk or water to the dough.
Candy melting too much? Avoid using candies with a lot of exposed sugar on top, and make sure your oven temperature is accurate.

Here are some alternative options that can be used in the recipe.

Variation	Substitution	Notes
Gluten-free	Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend	Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.
Vegan	Vegan butter, flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)	Ensure chocolate is dairy-free.
Dairy-free	Dairy-free butter alternative, dairy-free chocolate	Look for brands specifically labeled as dairy-free.

FAQs about Candy Cookie Recipe

Can I double or halve this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Just adjust all the ingredient quantities accordingly.

Can you freeze candy cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months.

What else can I do with leftover candy?

Besides making these cookies, you can use leftover candy in brownies, milkshakes, or as a topping for ice cream.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! My Candy Cookie Recipe is a simple, fun, and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth and use up any leftover candy. I hope you’ll give it a try. And please, don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how your cookies turned out or if you have any questions. I’d love to see photos of your Candy Cookie Recipe creations, too!

Christina