Print

The Best Easy Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars

leftover Halloween candy cookie bars - featured image
Print Recipe

These chewy, salty-sweet cookie bars are the perfect way to use up leftover Halloween candy. Made with a secret cream cheese ingredient for an incredibly tender crumb, they come together in one bowl in under 20 minutes and are always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 ounces (about 1/4 block / 57g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (about 225g) assorted chopped leftover Halloween candy (e.g., Snickers, Reese’s cups, semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. Chop the leftover Halloween candy into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. For chewier candies, freeze for 5 minutes before chopping.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously for about a minute until smooth. Add the softened cream cheese and whisk until mostly incorporated. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until glossy and uniform.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined—do not overmix.
  6. Fold in the chopped candy (and chocolate chips, if using) until evenly distributed.
  7. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and set, and the center is puffed but still looks slightly soft. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, use the parchment handles to lift the bars out onto a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares.

Notes

For the best texture, ensure cream cheese is truly softened to room temperature. Chop candy into 1/2-inch pieces for even distribution. Avoid candies with hard shells or gummy textures. The toothpick test should show moist crumbs, not clean. Let bars cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: leftover Halloween candy, cookie bars, easy dessert, cream cheese, one-bowl, chewy, salty-sweet

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/the-best-easy-leftover-halloween-candy-cookie-bars/