Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (2024)

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Chewy Butterfinger Cookies with crispy edges are packed with sticky, sweet Butterfinger pieces and chocolate and peanut butter flavor.

Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (1)

Butterfinger Cookies

Butterfinger cookies have crispy edges and a gooey, chewy center, packed with lots of chocolate Butterfinger bits. Baking makes the insides of the Butterfingers caramelize for a slight crunch, which results in cookie heaven.

Butterfinger cookies are a great way to use up leftover Halloween candy, and they're still great if you have to buy some candy to make them.

What is a Butterfinger?

Believe it or not, I've gotten asked this several times! Mostly from those not in the U.S., but it still surprised me. A Butterfinger is a candy bar with a flaky, crispy peanut butter inside covered in chocolate. The texture is very unique to this candy bar, and I'm not sure if there's a very close substitute outside of the U.S.

Do I Have to Use Butterfingers?

Nope! This recipe is great with Butterfingers because the flaky center of the candy bar gets melty and gooey and yummy when baked, but it will work with basically any candy. I personally prefer chocolate, but you could even use some fruity candies in there if that's your jam.

It's a great way to use up leftover candy from Halloween. Just make sure the candies are chopped so that they're bite-sized, and you have about 1.5 cups. Try some of these favorites:

  • Kit Kats
  • Twix
  • Snickers
  • M&M's
  • Reese's cups
  • Heath bars

Or mix and match a few of your favorites!

Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (2)

How to Keep Cookies from Spreading Too Much

The real key to prevent super flat cookies is to chill the dough before baking. I know it's tempting to just skip that step, especially when the dough is easy enough to handle without chilling. But the chilling prevents the butter from melting too fast in the oven, which helps them keep a better shape.

Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (3)

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  • Marshmallow Oreo Chip Cookies - gooey, chocolatey, and sweet! My kids love them!
  • German Chocolate Cake Cookies - fudgy chocolate cookies topped with coconut caramel pecan frosting.

Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (4)

Butterfinger Cookies

Chewy Butterfinger Cookies with crispy edges are packed with sticky, sweet Butterfinger pieces and chocolate and peanut butter flavor.

5 from 27 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Butterfinger Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 26 minutes minutes

Servings: 21 cookies

Calories: 179kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups chopped Butterfingers

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.

  • In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

  • Add egg and vanilla and beat again until combined.

  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix on low until just combined.

  • Fold in butterfingers.

  • Scoop large sections, about 1.5 tablespoons, and roll into balls.

  • Place on a lined cookie sheet. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days.

  • Heat oven to 350°F.

  • Arrange chilled balls 3-inches apart on a lined cookie sheet.

  • Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around edges (Centers will still look soft.).

  • Allow cookies to set on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack to finish cooling.

Notes

  • To make the cookies faster, you can place them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes after rolling into balls instead of the refrigerator.
  • Use your favorite candy. These cookies will work with any candy! So choose your favorite or mix and match. Just make sure the candy is chopped and you have about 1.5 cups of it.
  • Use a cookie scoop for consistent sized cookies.
  • Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Freezer instructions: Wrap cookie dough tightly before rolling into balls. Freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling into balls and continuing the recipe. Alternately, bake cookies, and store in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 146IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erika says

    One of my favorite candy bars baked into cookies? Yes, please!

    Reply

  2. Aimee Mars says

    Butterfingers are possibly my favorite candy bar of all time and putting them into cookie form is just absolutely genius! I'm going to make a batch and eat them all myself!!

    Reply

  3. Andrea Metlika says

    You had me at crispy edges and a gooey, chewy center. These are Awesome!

    Reply

  4. Justine Howell says

    Favorite treat, in a cookie gave a great texture!

    Reply

  5. Marsha Maxwell says

    Such a clever recipe! My daughter loves Butterfinger, so I'm looking forward to making these for her!

    Reply

  6. Anita says

    This recipe is a genius. Such a wonderfully delicious way to use Butterfinger.

    Reply

  7. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    Love how easy and delicious this recipe is. It's perfect for a gathering or a party.

    Reply

  8. Irina says

    These Butterfinger Cookies will be perfect as edible gifts during the holidays! Bookmarking for later.

    Reply

  9. Danielle says

    It's been a while since I made chewy cookies like these, so super excited to get to cooking! 🙂 I just need to get a good-size cookie jar first!

    Reply

  10. Farah says

    Yum! Butterfingers were my favorite candy growing up so thanks for the perfect vessel for them!

    Reply

  11. Adrianne says

    That is such a great idea to use the cookie scoop for these cookies! I also love the idea of putting the dough in the freezer for a bit 1st. Great tips here and I am off to make some cookies, haha, yum!

    Reply

  12. Katie says

    These look amazing! Can't wait to try these.

    Reply

  13. Chris Collins says

    These have got to be the greatest cookies of all time! Definitely whipping up a batch tomorrow 🙂

    Reply

  14. Kathryn Donangelo says

    This was the perfect cookie after all of my leftover butterfingers from Halloween! So buttery and loved all the little bits of candy! Delicious!

    Reply

  15. Toni Dash says

    This was a huge hit with my kids! They can't stop eating!

    Reply

  16. Beth says

    These look so delicious and yummy! My husband is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply

  17. Toni says

    This is seriously amazing!! My kids got addicted! So good!

    Reply

  18. Roxana says

    Wow that will be real treat for candy lovers. The cookies looks so professional and amazing.

    Reply

  19. Wanda says

    I love this idea for all our leftover Halloween candy. Bookmarking to make this weekend!

    Reply

  20. Genevieve says

    These look delicious and are a great idea for Halloween!

    Reply

  21. Dan E says

    Made these as written. Excellent and addicting. "Butterfinger Bits" in the 8 oz. bag are the exact 1 1/2 cups needed for this recipe. Follow the directions in this recipe and you'll have a great cookie. Don't forget the refrigeration part as it's essential in preventing cookies from spreading too thin. Thanks for posting!

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      I didn't even know they made the bits! I'll have to keep my eye out for them! Thank you so much for the review, and I'm glad you liked them!

      Reply

  22. Crystal Hegwood says

    Perfect everytime with whatever candies added

    Reply

  23. Nancy Ulbin says

    How many cookies will one recipe make. I want to make them for a cookie swap

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      A little less than 2 dozen, around 20-21 per batch for me. And it depends on how liberal you are with the scooping.

      Reply

  24. Rhonda Anderson says

    These are a favorite of family and friends. I always make a double batch to share.

    Reply

  25. Florence Frady says

    Good cookie. Husband and i like butterfinger oatmeal cookies better then butterscotch chips.

    Reply

  26. Michelle says

    Do you use salted or unsalted butter?

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      Unsalted for baking

      Reply

  27. Helen says

    These are amazing!! I give them as gifts, and they have become a favorite!! Soft and chewy with amazing flavor!!

    Reply

  28. Giftyglitter says

    So Delicious! I just made these Butterfinger Cookies, and they are awesome. I love your recipe, I’ll be back to make them again & again!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Butterfinger Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding more butter do to cookies? ›

An excessive amount of butter makes it where the flour is unable to absorb the combined fat, which causes the cookie to spread too widely and the sugar to carbonize more easily because it's surrounded by too buttery a dough.

What happens if I don't use enough butter in cookies? ›

Adding too little butter can cause the cookies to be tough and crumbly. You should use unsalted butter to control the salt content, but if you only have salted on hand, reduce the amount of added salt accordingly. Sugar sweetens the cookies and makes them an enticing golden brown.

What is the secret to soft chewy cookies? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

What happens if you put too much butter in chocolate chip cookies? ›

Too much butter makes cookies turn out just as you'd expect: very buttery. This batch of cookies was cakey in the middle, but also airy throughout, with crispy edges.

What happens if you use melted butter instead of softened butter? ›

Melted butter will make your cookies delightfully dense on the inside and crisp on the edges. This is because cookie dough with melted butter will give you extra moisture and spread out more during baking, giving you a softer inside and with thinner, crisper edges.

What is a good substitute for butter in cookies? ›

The Best Butter Substitutes
  • Margarine. Replacement ratio: 1:1. ...
  • Cream cheese. Replacement ratio: 1:1. ...
  • Unsweetened full-fat natural yoghurt. Replacement ratio: 250g or less, 1:1. ...
  • Full-fat mayonnaise. Replacement ratio: 1:1. ...
  • Olive oil or vegetable oil. Replacement ratio: 1:1. ...
  • Unsweetened apple sauce. ...
  • Mashed banana. ...
  • Nut butter.

What makes cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

Does more butter make cookies softer? ›

Also, underbaking them by a minute or 2 will help them retain a dense, chewy bite, explains Jenny McCoy, pastry baking arts chef-instructor at the Institute for Culinary Education in New York. Adding more moisture to your dough in the form of extra butter, egg yolks, or brown sugar will make your cookies even softer.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What does vinegar do in cookies? ›

Vinegar helps with creating a tender and moist crumb

This is because the acidity of vinegar interferes with gluten development. Gluten is a protein that can make our baked goods tough when overworked, which is why you'll often hear me talking about not overmixing your batter.

What happens if you over cream butter and sugar for cookies? ›

Undermixed butter and sugar looks gritty and chunky, which can lead to dense cookies and cakes. It is possible to overmix the butter and sugar. If you overmix, the butter will separate out of the mixture and it will be grainy and soupy. Be sure to stop once your butter becomes light and fluffy.

What causes butter bleed in cookies? ›

Butter bleed typically happens when excess butter from the baked cookie below seeps upwards through the layer of royal icing, appearing as an oily stain.

Can you over beat butter for cookies? ›

Likewise, it is possible to overbeat your mixture—if it starts to look soupy and oily, you've gone too far. This whole process typically takes between 2 and 5 minutes.

What happens if you add too much butter? ›

Too much butter in your baked goods would give them different texture (flat, greasy..).

Does butter make cookies softer? ›

Butter is more than 15% water, so it plays a role in making cookies soft by adding water and fat, which contributes flavor and tenderness. Melting the butter you're using can make the cookie softer.

Can too much butter make cookies flat? ›

The Problem: Incorrectly Measured Ingredients

Sugar sucks up liquid, and when those cookies bake, it'll release the liquid and cause the cookies to spread out. If you use too much butter, the cookies will end up flat and greasy.

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