Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Dough

Mix your favorite leftover Halloween candy into a cookie dough that can be frozen and then baked whenever you're craving cookies!

Recipe by Maegan - The BakerMama on November 2, 2018

Prep time: PT20M

Cook time: PT12M

Total time: PT32M

Rating

4.7 stars ( reviews)

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups leftover Halloween candy (about 30 bite-sized chocolate bars chopped and 10 mini bags of candy pieces such as M&M’s and candy corn)

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and eggs until well combined. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until just combined. With the mixer on low speed or with a mixing spoon, stir in the Halloween candy.
To freeze the cookie dough for baking later, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet. Scoops of dough can be close together at this point. Press a few extra pieces of chopped candy and candy pieces into the tops of each scoop of cookie dough, if desired.
Place baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Take the cookie dough out of the freezer and transfer to a freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag. Return the dough to the freezer and store until ready to bake. Dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When craving a cookie, simply remove the number of cookies you want from the freezer and place a few inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes or until cookies start to brown and crisp around the edges. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Jessica Raposo on 2021-12-15 (5 stars):
Hello! I chilled the dough for 20 minutes as recommended and then baked them all! I am leaving some out for my family but have decided to freeze the rest in a container with parchment paper in between the layers. I want to freeze them to have next week on Christmas. Do you think this is okay?
Erinn Cooney-Stavrev on 2024-01-14 (5 stars):
We make these all the time, bake a few and freeze the rest. They are perfect to quickly bake anytime you need a cookie. They are delicious!
Beth on 2024-01-15 (3 stars):
I also had issues with these cookies spreading flat and burning around the edges. Using any candy with caramel doesn’t seem to work, as it crystallizes, burns, and makes the cookies stick (even with a silicone sheet underneath it). My boys said they taste fine, but I wouldn’t ever make these for anybody beyond my own family. Not an attractive cookie!
Alex on 2024-12-07 (5 stars):
delicious 😋 made a chocolate version with dark chocolate for this recipe and it was so good would definitely recommend for cookie lovers