Irresistible Butterfinger Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Chewy & Crunchy Dessert Recipe

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these sensational Butterfinger Cookie Bars – a truly unforgettable dessert that masterfully blends the beloved crunch of Butterfinger candy bars with the soft, chewy texture of a classic sugar cookie. These homemade Butterfinger cookies are not just incredibly easy to make, but they’re also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, making them the perfect addition to any family gathering, casual potluck, or simply as a comforting treat for yourself. Say goodbye to complicated recipes; these candy bar cookies are designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, transforming your favorite candy into an extraordinary baked good.

Creating these delectable cookie bars requires only a handful of common pantry staples, alongside the star ingredient: Butterfinger pieces. From softened butter and granulated sugar to all-purpose flour and fresh eggs, each component plays a vital role in crafting a dessert that’s both rich in flavor and wonderfully textured. Whether you’re a long-time admirer of the iconic Butterfinger candy bar or eagerly searching for a new and exciting dessert recipe to impress, these easy candy bar cookies offer a fantastic choice that promises to satisfy every sweet craving.

Butterfinger Cookie Bar Recipe: A Homemade Delight

This sensational cookie bar recipe comes together effortlessly, utilizing basic ingredients that are likely already stocked in your kitchen. The magic happens when you incorporate the crunchy, peanut-buttery goodness of a Butterfinger chocolate bar, elevating the flavor and texture to an incredible level. Baking these treats in bar form is a brilliant hack for busy bakers, simplifying the serving process and eliminating the need for tedious rolling or scooping during preparation. This particular Butterfinger cookie recipe takes a straightforward sugar cookie base and amplifies it with the delightful, unmistakable addition of everyone’s favorite candy. The harmonious blend of sweet cookie, rich peanut butter, and irresistible chocolate crunch ensures that this dessert will leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to try it. It’s truly a standout amongst homemade cookie bars, offering a unique twist on a classic.

Expert Tips & Creative Variations for Your Candy Bar Cookies

While our signature Butterfinger cookie bars are undeniably delicious, the world of candy bar cookies offers a vast playground for culinary experimentation. Don’t hesitate to personalize your treats and explore different flavor profiles tailored to your preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Experiment with Different Cookie Bases: Instead of sticking solely to the traditional sugar cookie base, consider varying the foundation of your cookie bars. For instance, a rich chocolate chip cookie dough can provide a decadent backdrop for the Butterfinger pieces, enhancing the chocolate notes. Oatmeal cookie dough offers a chewier texture and a wholesome flavor that contrasts beautifully with the candy’s sweetness. Peanut butter cookie dough could amplify the peanut butter notes in Butterfinger for a truly intense experience. Each base cookie brings its own unique characteristics, allowing you to create a completely new dessert experience with every batch.
• Substitute with Other Favorite Candy Bars: If Butterfinger isn’t your top choice, or if you simply wish to explore other exciting combinations, these cookie bars are incredibly versatile. You can easily substitute Butterfinger with a wide array of other candy bars. Imagine the gooey caramel and nougat of Snickers, the crisp wafers of Kit Kat, the crunchy cookie and caramel of Twix, or even the creamy chocolate and almonds of an Almond Joy. Each substitution will introduce a distinct flavor and texture profile, allowing you to craft a unique candy bar cookie that perfectly aligns with your personal taste. Just remember to crush or chop your chosen candy bar into small, manageable pieces before incorporating them into the dough to ensure even distribution and ease of eating.
• Add a Drizzle or Frosting: Elevate your cookie bars even further with a simple topping. A drizzle of melted milk or dark chocolate can add an extra layer of richness and visual appeal. For a creamier finish, a light peanut butter frosting or a classic vanilla buttercream could complement the Butterfinger flavor beautifully.
• Seasonal Twists: Adapt your cookie bars for different seasons or holidays. For example, add a touch of orange food coloring to the dough for Halloween, or incorporate mini Reese’s Pieces alongside Butterfinger for a peanut butter explosion perfect for fall.
• Salted Caramel Drizzle: A homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce drizzled over the warm bars after baking can add a sophisticated touch and a delightful sweet and salty contrast.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Butterfinger Cookie Bars

Crafting these extraordinary Butterfinger cookie bars begins with understanding the role each ingredient plays in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

Butter: You’ll need 1 cup (which is equivalent to 2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter. Using softened butter is crucial for achieving a smooth, well-combined dough when creamed with sugars. It also contributes significantly to the rich, tender taste and ensures the cookie bars remain delightfully moist for several days after baking. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe.

Sugars: This recipe calls for a balanced blend of ½ cup each of granulated sugar and brown sugar. Granulated sugar provides crispness and sweetness, while brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes to the wonderfully chewy texture that makes these cookie bars so addictive. The molasses in brown sugar also adds a subtle caramel note.

Eggs: Incorporating 2 large eggs is essential. Eggs act as a binder, holding the dough together and providing structure. They also add moisture and richness, contributing to the cookie bars’ perfect consistency and helping them achieve a slight lift during baking.

Vanilla extract: A generous 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract is added to enhance and deepen all the other flavors in these cookies. Vanilla is a foundational flavor in many baked goods, and it truly makes the sweet and peanut butter notes in the Butterfinger pieces pop.

Flour: Use 2 cups of all-purpose flour. This forms the primary structural base of your cookie dough. It provides the necessary bulk and ensures the cookie bars have a tender, yet sturdy crumb. Ensure you measure your flour correctly, preferably by weighing it or using the spoon-and-level method, to avoid overly dense or dry bars.

Leavening agents: A combination of 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda is used. These leavening agents work together to create a light, airy, and slightly puffed texture in the cookie bars. Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like brown sugar), while baking powder provides an additional lift, ensuring your bars are wonderfully tender and not too flat.

Salt: Just ¼ teaspoon of salt is enough to help balance the sweetness and pronounce all the incredible flavors in these yummy Butterfinger cookie bars. Salt is crucial in baking for bringing out the best in other ingredients and preventing the dessert from tasting bland or one-dimensional.

Butterfinger chips: You will want an entire 8-ounce package of Butterfinger chips. These pre-chopped pieces are incredibly convenient and are key to infusing these cookie bars with their signature flavor and delightful crunch. If Butterfinger chips are unavailable in your area, don’t fret! You can easily substitute them by crushing 4-5 regular-sized Butterfinger candy bars into small, irregular pieces yourself. This ensures you still get that unmistakable peanut butter and chocolate crunch throughout every bite.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Butterfinger Cookie Bars

Get ready to bake a batch of the most amazing homemade Butterfinger cookie bars with this easy-to-follow guide. The process is straightforward, ensuring delicious results every time.

Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to the optimal temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is consistently hot when your cookie dough is ready, leading to even baking. Simultaneously, prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by generously greasing its interior. You can use cooking spray, butter, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Once greased, set the pan aside, ready for your delightful dough.

Cookie dough

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly until they are well-integrated. This step is crucial for even distribution of leavening agents, ensuring your cookies rise uniformly. Set this bowl aside for later. In a separate, larger bowl, using an electric handheld mixer (or a stand mixer), cream together the softened unsalted butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookie bars’ tender texture. Once creamed, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Next, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet egg and butter mixture. Mix on low speed, or stir by hand, until just combined and there are no visible streaks of white flour. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Finally, gently fold in ¾ cup of the Butterfinger chips. Mix just enough to evenly distribute the chips throughout the dough without crushing them too much.

Bake

Now that your dough is ready, press it evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to ensure it reaches all corners and has a consistent thickness for even baking. Sprinkle the remaining Butterfinger chips over the top of the cookie dough, creating a beautiful and delicious topping. Carefully place the baking pan into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges; they should turn a light golden brown, and the center should appear set and slightly puffed. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft and chewy texture.

Serve

Once baked to perfection, remove the Butterfinger cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling period is essential as it allows the bars to set and firm up, making them much easier to cut into neat squares. Patience is key here, as warm cookie bars can be crumbly. Once fully cooled, slice into desired square sizes and serve these delightful treats. Enjoy every crunchy, chewy, peanut-buttery bite!

How Long Do Butterfinger Cookie Bars Stay Fresh?

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Butterfinger cookie bars for as long as possible. When kept in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful treats will maintain their freshness and irresistible texture for up to 5 days. For those who wish to extend their enjoyment, refrigerating the bars can keep them fresh for up to a week. However, there’s a clever trick I’ve found to keep your cookies extra soft and delicious: place a slice of plain white bread in the container with your cookie bars. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, helping them stay wonderfully soft and chewy for an additional few days. This simple hack works wonders, preventing your homemade treats from drying out too quickly and ensuring every bite is as good as the first.

Essential Tips for Storing Your Homemade Cookies

Ensuring your homemade Butterfinger cookie bars remain fresh, soft, and utterly delicious requires a few thoughtful storage practices. By following these simple tips, you can extend the shelf life of your delectable treats and savor them for days or even months.

• Room Temperature Storage: For immediate enjoyment, storing your Butterfinger cookie bars at room temperature is ideal. To prevent them from drying out or absorbing unwanted moisture from the air, always place them in an airtight container or a sturdy resealable plastic bag. This method typically keeps them fresh and flavorful for up to one week. For an extra touch of softness, consider adding a slice of fresh bread to the container; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, staying soft for longer.
• Refrigerator Storage: If you’re looking to extend the shelf life slightly beyond a week, the refrigerator is your next best option. Similar to room temperature storage, it’s crucial to place the cookie bars in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. This prevents them from becoming stale or absorbing any odors from other foods in your fridge. When stored correctly, your cookie bars can remain fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freezer for Long-Term Storage: For the longest possible preservation, freezing your Butterfinger cookie bars is an excellent choice. First, ensure the bars are completely cooled. Then, wrap individual bars or small stacks tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. This double layer of protection guards against freezer burn and preserves their quality. Frozen Butterfinger cookie bars can last for up to three months, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
• Thawing Frozen Cookie Bars: When you’re ready to indulge in your frozen treats, simply remove the desired number of Butterfinger cookie bars from the freezer. Allow them to thaw gradually at room temperature for a few hours. For a quicker option or if you prefer them warm, you can microwave individual bars for about 10-20 seconds until heated through, but be careful not to overheat, which can make them tough.

By diligently following these storage recommendations, you can confidently ensure that your Butterfinger cookie bars maintain their peak freshness, delightful crunch, and irresistible chewiness for an extended period, ready to be enjoyed whenever a craving strikes.

Converting Butterfinger Candy Bars to Chips: A Simple Guide

If you can’t find pre-packaged Butterfinger chips at your local grocery store, or if you simply prefer to use whole Butterfinger candy bars, don’t worry – it’s incredibly easy to prepare them for your cookie bars. To create perfect crushed pieces, simply place your unwrapped Butterfinger candy bars into a sturdy ziplock bag. Then, use a rolling pin to firmly roll over the bars until they are broken down into small, irregular pieces. Alternatively, for a quicker and more uniform chop, a food processor can be used. Just pulse the candy bars a few times until they reach your desired consistency. You will typically need about 2 cups of crushed Butterfinger candy bars to match the 8-ounce package of chips, which usually translates to approximately 4 king-sized bars or 5 regular-sized Butterfinger bars. This ensures you get that iconic peanut buttery crunch in every bite of your homemade Butterfinger cookie bars.

Sometimes I want to take family pictures and well, the kids just aren’t into it! This last photo shoot was less than stellar, but you know what, we rolled with it and ended up doing some funny poses and got some good ones! They make us all laugh, and that’s worth something, right?!

Discover More Delicious Cookie Bar Recipes:

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of cookie bars, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of sweet recipes that turn classic cookie flavors into easy-to-serve bar form. Explore these fantastic options to find your next favorite dessert:

• CHERRY ALMOND COOKIE BARS
• PEPPERMINT COOKIE BARS
• FUDGY OATMEAL COOKIE BARS
• TAGALONG COOKIE BARS
• STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIE BARS
• CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE BARS
• SUGAR COOKIE BARS
• SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE BARS
• SUGAR COOKIE BARS
• PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE BARS
• CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Ultimately, making Butterfinger cookie bars is an exceptional way to transform your favorite crunchy candy bar into a truly impressive and incredibly delicious dessert that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. These irresistible Butterfinger cookies are designed to be soft, wonderfully chewy, and packed with that amazing, satisfyingly crunchy texture that makes them truly hard to resist. Go ahead, bake a batch and experience the joy of these remarkable homemade treats!