Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies
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Have leftover Halloween candy? Looking to try a new cookie recipe? Then you’re going to love these Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies. I mean, what’s not to love about a mini candy bar pressed into a soft peanut butter cookie?
It’s Cookie Time!
Okay, I’m certain that you’ve heard of the classic peanut butter blossom cookies. (If you haven’t, it’s a peanut butter cookie with a chocolate kiss pressed into the middle.) Today we are taking that same concept but instead of using chocolate kisses, we’re using mini candy bars to create these peanut butter candy bar cookies.
With Halloween a few weeks away, I thought this would be the ideal time to share this recipe as you soon may have some extra Halloween candy lurking around the house. (Or you may be able to snag a bag at 50% off the day after Halloween. Love that!) This would be the perfect reason/excuse to make these cookies.
As much as I love peanut butter blossoms, I may like these peanut butter candy bar cookies even better. I always find the chocolate kiss to be too hard making it awkward to bite through. That’s not the case with these mini candy bars. They stay nice and soft and pair perfectly with the peanut butter cookie.
You’re definitely going to want to add these decadent bites to your next cookie tray. Let me show you how to make them.
Want more peanut butter treats? Try these:
- Krunch Kote Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Chocolate Striped Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Puppy Chow
Ingredients:
The ingredient list for these peanut butter candy bar cookies is pretty standard so I’m not going to go through it item by item, but here’s what you will need:
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- kosher salt
- unsalted butter
- creamy peanut butter
- granulated sugar
- light brown sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- sanding sugar
- mini candy bars (Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers)
My guess is that, other than the mini candy bars, you probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen especially if you’re a baker like myself.
Once you’ve gathered up all of these things, you’re ready to start baking!
How to Make Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies:
For your convenience, I’ve provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Beat until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine.
- With the mixer on low add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Scoop out about one tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball, then roll in sugar.
- Place the balls two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Press your thumb into the center of each cookie to indent.
- Bake one cookie sheet at a time for about eight to ten minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and press one candy bar into the center of each cookie.
- Allow to cool for a bit on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
That’s it!
Once completely cooled, you can pack and store these cookies in an airtight container for at least a week.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you freeze these Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies?
You sure can! I recommend enjoying any frozen cookie within two to three months of freezing.
What kind of candy bar is best?
The mini square-shaped candy bars are best. I used Snickers, Milky Way, and 3 Musketeers.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
When It comes to baking, I prefer and recommend Jif peanut butter. You’re welcome to try what you like, but be aware that the results may vary.
And that’s a wrap (or should I say wrapper) on these Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies. Go and give them a try! I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Enjoy!
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Peanut Butter Candy Bar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sanding sugar
- 40 mini candy bars Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, unwrapped
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until light and creamy: about two to three minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Scoop out about one tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball, then roll in sugar. Place the balls two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Press your thumb into the center of each ball/cookie to indent.
- Bake one cookie sheet at a time for about 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and press one candy bar into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
So yummy! This was the perfect idea for some leftover candy. I like it much better than the hard kisses.