Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars

Stretch your Halloween treats with these chewy and delicious Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars! Whether they're candies you've collected from trick-or-treating or chocolates you've been hoarding over the last few days, these cookie bars are a fun way to use up all that excess Halloween loot.

You no longer have to deal with the dreaded "leftover candy dilemma" that comes after Halloween. With this recipe, you can get creative and turn your extra treats into chunky cookie bars that everyone in the family will love. To all the parents who are looking for a way to finish up the last of their Halloween candy stash without having to dole it out piece by piece, this simple cookie bar recipe will save the day. Same goes for all the sweet tooths out there who still want to get their candy fix long after the spooky season has ended!

Why You'll Love this Leftover Halloween Cookie Bar Recipe

• A great way to use leftovers. Save your Halloween candies from going to waste by turning them into piles of scrumptious cookie bars that everyone can enjoy. No more guilt trips from throwing away perfectly good candy, plus you get to indulge in a chocolatey snack!
• Quick and simple. This halloween cookie bar recipe takes less than an hour to make! It can't get any easier - just prepare the cookie dough by combining all the ingredients in one bowl, and bake for 30 minutes.
• Bonding activity for the whole family. Get the family together and take turns adding the Halloween candy pieces to the cookie dough. Kids will have a blast picking out which candy goes into the bars, and parents will get to bond with their little ones over a creative kitchen project.
• Versatile. Make every bite of these loaded cookie bars a surprise! You can add any type of candies you have on hand, from Reese's and Butterfinger to M&M's and Kit Kat, to make your experience either nutty, chunky, caramelly, chocolatey, or all of the above!

Ingredient Notes

To make these easy Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• butter - use unsalted, softened butter for easier creaming with sugar and for lighter yet chewy cookies.
• sugar - a combination of granulated white and light brown sugar gives the cookie bars a nice balance of sweetness while adding a nice color and keeping the texture soft and moist.
• egg - acts as a binder for structure while adding moisture and richness.
• vanilla extract - adds a nice aroma and sweetness and enhances all the good flavors in the recipe.
• all-purpose flour - the base of the cookie bars. You can also do 50/50 AP flour and bread or cake flour for chewier or softer bars.
• baking soda - helps the cookie bars rise while baking.
• salt - balances out the sweetness for a better overall flavor.
• Halloween chocolate bars - use your favorite chocolate bars, such as Snickers, Twix, Butterfinger, Mars, Rolo, and Milky Way. I use mini Reese's, Kit Kat, and M&M's in this recipe.
• M&M's - we suggest making sure to add in M&M's or Smarties for a pop of color throughout these cookies. But feel free to leave them out if you dint have any in your Halloween candy stash.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, an 8-inch square baking pan, and cooking spray oil.

How to Make the Best Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars

1. Combine wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, and beat on low until incorporated.

2. Add dry ingredients. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and beat until just combined.

3. Fold in mix ins. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons each of the Halloween candy and M&M's (for the top), and fold in the rest.

4. Spread dough. Spray a 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray oil and line it with a piece of parchment paper, allowing the overhang to come off the 2 sides. Spread the cookie dough onto the lined pan. Press in the remaining Halloween candy and M&M's on top.

5. Bake. Bake in a 325F preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, and the a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cookie dough may not look completely done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling.

6. Serve. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pan. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to pull them out. Slice into 9 or 16 pieces and serve.

How to Serve

Enjoy these delicious Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars as an on-the-go snack or serve with a warm drink like:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• White Hot Chocolate
• Chai Tea Latte
• Matcha Latte
• Turmeric Golden Milk Latte
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Freshly baked cookie bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you plan on keeping them longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat

While these cookie bars can be eaten cold or at room temperature, they are pretty amazing warm. Just pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or so until soft and gooey.

How to Freeze

Place the cookie bars in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, just reheat them straight from frozen in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or a 300°F air fryer for 4-6 minutes until warm and gooey.

More Halloween Dessert Recipes

• 25 Best Halloween Desserts
• Halloween Bark
• Caramel Apples
• Witch Finger Cookies
• Dirt Pudding Cups
• Spooky Halloween Chocolate Cake Pops

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