Halloween Cookie Bars

Use your leftover Halloween candy to make our Halloween Cookie Bars recipe.

But if you don’t have leftover candy, you can buy all the supplies to make these cookie bars.

Halloween Cookie Bars using Leftover Halloween Candy

Check out these quick and easy Halloween cookie bars.

These are dessert bars loaded with candies.

This recipe is perfect for using leftover Halloween candy stashed in your pantry. 

A buttery cookie loaded with Reese’s Peanut butter cups, Snickers, M&M’s, and more.

Any of your favorite candies work for this simple dessert cookie bar. 

What You Will Need

All Purpose Flour. Make sure to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and then level it off. 

Salt. If you use salted butter, just omit the salt in the recipe. 

Baking Soda. This will help your cookie bars rise and become nice and fluffy in texture. 

Sugar. I used granulated sugar and light brown sugar. It adds tons of depth to these cookie bars. 

Unsalted Butter. Make sure the butter is softened so it creams nicely when mixed. 

Eggs. You can use room-temperature eggs for the binder in this bar recipe. I used large eggs. 

Candy. You can use any of your favorite candies.

We did a mix of Snickers, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and M&M’s. Feel free to use items like Milk Duds, Butterfingers, Crunch bars, etc. 

How to make Halloween Cookie Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Baking Time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yields: 1 (13×9) pan, 16 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped chocolate candy (Snickers, Reese’s cups, etc.)
• 1/2 cup M&Ms

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 13×9 baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Add the flour, salt, and baking soda to a small bowl and whisk.
3. Add the sugar, brown sugar, and butter to a separate large bowl, and beat with an electric hand mixer until fluffy.
4. Mix in the eggs individually, then add the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
5. Pour in the dry ingredients, and blend at low speed until the batter is just mixed.
6. Fold in the chopped chocolate candy and M&Ms, then spread the batter evenly into the 13×9 pan.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the edges start to turn brown, then cool to room temperature.
8. Cut out 16 bars, and serve.

Expert Tips:

• If you want to use salted butter, halve the added salt. 
• You can use any kind of chocolate candy you like or if you have a favorite. 
• Serve at room temperature, chilled or slightly warmed. 
• These cookie bars are nice and chewy.
• Keep an eye on the edges of the bars while baking. They can over-bake quickly, and even though the center may appear underdone, it will continue to bake in the middle while it is cooling.
• I found that the temperature of the eggs before baking was not important. They can be cold or room temperature.

Storing Cookie Bars 

Room Temperature. You can store your cookie bars at room temperature on the counter in an airtight container. Or you can store them in the fridge if you prefer.

The bars will last 3-5 days at room temperature.

Or if you store it in the fridge for 5-8 days. 

Freezing. You can also freeze these cookie bars if you would like. Pre-slice and then place the cooled bars in a freezer-friendly container.

Then freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. 

Can I make these cookie bars in advance? 

Sure, you can make these bars up to 24 hours before you plan to serve them up.

I wouldn’t go over that mark as it can dry out the cookies, and they will not be at the prime texture. 

Why are my bars dense? 

If you overmix the batter, it can make the dough as dense and not as light and fluffy as you want.

I find making sure not to overmix is very important.

Mix the ingredients until well combined and then pour into the baking dish. 

Types of Candy That Works Great For Bars 

• Hershey’s Candy Bars 
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 
• Reese’s Pieces 
• M&M’s 
• Butterfingers 
• Heath 
• Kit Kat 
• 3 Musketeers
• Cookies and Cream 
• Candy Corn
• Snickers 
• Etc. 

Can I double batch this candy cookie bars recipe? 

Yes, you sure can. Whip up a second batch and bake in an additional baking pan.

You will find it is too thick to bake in a larger baking dish.

I find using two 9×13 pans works great. 

If you want to bake in a larger pan like a Texas sheet cake, you should adjust the cooking time to when the cookie bars are fully baked. 

What happens if I overbake the cookie bars? 

The cookie bars will begin to dry out and can start to crumble.

It is best to bake the cookies and then watch them when the time is close.

That way, if they get done before the time is finished, you can pull them out before they get too dry. 

Now that you have this recipe, you have an idea of how to use up your leftover Halloween candy! 

More Halloween Ideas:

Free Halloween Activities Printables For Kids

Halloween Dessert Pizza

Halloween Bucket List

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