Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies combine two beloved flavors into one irresistible treat. The rich, nutty taste of peanut butter perfectly complements the sweet, crunchy texture of chopped Butterfinger candy bars, creating cookies that are soft and chewy on the inside with delightful bursts of caramel and chocolate throughout. What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity – using pantry staples and your favorite candy bar, you can create bakery-quality cookies that will have everyone asking for the recipe. The cookies maintain their chewy texture for days, making them perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or surprise guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional:
- 1 cup chopped Butterfinger candy bars
How to Make Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Chop your Butterfinger candy bars into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Cream the Fats and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Fold in Butterfinger Pieces: Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold in the chopped Butterfinger candy pieces until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft.
- Cool Properly: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Helpful Tips
Choose room temperature ingredients for the best mixing results, especially the butter and egg. If you forgot to soften your butter, cut it into small cubes and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. For even more intense peanut butter flavor, use natural peanut butter, but make sure to stir it well first. When chopping Butterfinger bars, place them in the freezer for 10 minutes beforehand to prevent them from getting too sticky and messy. Don’t overbake these cookies – they’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet even after removing them from the oven.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
Difficulty Level: Easy
The key to achieving the perfect chewy texture lies in not overbaking and using the right ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar. Brown sugar contains molasses, which helps keep the cookies soft and adds a subtle caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with the Butterfinger pieces.
Notes
For best results, measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife – don’t pack it down. If your dough seems too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping. You can substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy if you prefer extra texture, though the cookies will be slightly less smooth. Feel free to experiment with different candy bar mix-ins like chopped Snickers, Reese’s cups, or Heath bars for variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze shaped cookie dough balls for up to 3 months – just bake them straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This usually happens when the butter is too warm or the dough is too warm. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but natural peanut butter can make the cookies slightly more crumbly. Make sure to stir it well and consider adding an extra tablespoon of flour if the dough seems too soft.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers should still look slightly underbaked and soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Storage Instructions
Store your Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To maintain maximum chewiness, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies – the bread will help keep them soft. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag. Simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven texture.
Conclusion
This Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies recipe delivers everything you want in a homemade cookie: incredible flavor, perfect texture, and the joy of combining two classic treats into something extraordinary. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, treating yourself after a long day, or looking for the perfect gift for a peanut butter lover, these cookies never disappoint. The combination of creamy peanut butter dough and crunchy Butterfinger pieces creates a delightful contrast that makes each bite memorable. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe proves that the best treats often come from the most uncomplicated approaches. Give this recipe a try, and prepare to have a new favorite cookie that will become a regular in your baking rotation.