Name: Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 egg; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; Yellow gel food coloring; Orange gel food coloring; ½ cup butter, softened; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 3 tbsp heavy cream; ½ tsp salt; 2 ½ cups powdered sugar; ½ cup candy corn; Yellow and orange sprinkles, optional

Jump to Recipe·5 from 51 reviews

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, festive treat that captures all the fun of fall and Halloween, then you’ve got to try my Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars are not only irresistibly sweet and colorful, but they’re also surprisingly easy to make. I’ve made these a few Halloweens in a row now, and trust me, they disappear faster than you can say “trick or treat.” So grab your apron and let me walk you through this fan-freaking-tastic dessert!

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Why This Recipe Works

Vibrant Layers: Dividing the dough and coloring it yellow and orange mimics candy corn’s classic look and makes this treat visually stunning.
Soft, Chewy Texture: The baking time is just right to keep the cookie bars tender, avoiding dryness that’s typical in bar cookies.
Rich Frosting: The buttercream frosting is perfectly creamy and balances the sweetness while adding a gorgeous canvas for candy corn and sprinkles.
Easy Assembly: Rolling out the orange dough and layering it over the yellow one creates a neat, colorful bar without complicated steps.

There are nine square dessert bars arranged neatly on a light brown baking tray, each with three layers: a light brown crust at the bottom, a thick creamy white layer in the middle, and a smooth white frosting on top. The top layer is decorated with small candy corn pieces, each showing its three colors of yellow, orange, and white. Tiny round sprinkles in orange and yellow are scattered across the frosting. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface with a yellow and white checkered cloth partially visible beneath the tray and candy corn pieces scattered around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe has a part to play in making it both delicious and festive. When you shop, picking quality butter and fresh eggs will make a noticeable difference, and grabbing gel food colors ensures those bright candy corn hues.

Butter (softened): It’s key for that rich, tender texture and creamy frosting base.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the chewy moisture in the bars.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds a little richness.
Vanilla: Brings all the flavors together with its warm aroma.
Flour: The structure behind your bars – all-purpose flour works perfectly here.
Baking Powder: Provides a gentle lift, keeping the cookie bars from being too dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Yellow & Orange Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors are vibrant and won’t change the dough’s consistency like liquid food coloring sometimes does.
Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and helps achieve that perfect frosting consistency.
Powdered Sugar: The base of the frosting, giving it that classic sweet finish.
Candy Corn and Sprinkles: For that fun, festive finish visually and texturally.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best parts about making this Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I like to switch up the sprinkles sometimes or add a hint of almond extract to the frosting for a little twist. You can totally customize to what suits your vibe!

White Chocolate Chips: Toss some in with the dough for a creamy surprise; I’ve done this with great success and it adds texture.
Nut-Free Variation: This recipe is naturally nut-free, but always double-check your candy corn’s ingredients to keep it safe.
Seasonal Flavors: Try swapping vanilla for pumpkin spice extract in the frosting to keep up with fall festive flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter completely – this is crucial. When you cream it with the sugar using an electric mixer, the mixture should become light and fluffy. This step sets the foundation for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t rush it; I usually spend about 3-4 minutes here to get the perfect consistency.

Step 2: Mix in the Egg and Vanilla

Once your butter and sugar are fluffy, add in one egg and two teaspoons of vanilla. Beat it just until combined – overmixing isn’t necessary here and can make the dough tough. The vanilla adds that wonderful warm aroma that makes the kitchen smell amazing.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Coloring

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into your wet mixture until fully incorporated. Then, split the dough in half. Add yellow gel food coloring to one half and knead it gently but thoroughly until the color is even throughout. Repeat this with orange coloring for the second half. This step is where your cookie bars start looking like candy corn magic!

Step 4: Layer the Dough and Bake

Press the yellow dough into the bottom of an 8×8 lined baking pan, smoothing it out evenly. Roll or press the orange dough on parchment into the same size square, then carefully place it on top of the yellow dough. Don’t press too hard — just enough to stick together. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Keep a close eye near the end to avoid overbaking; you want them just set and not dry.

Step 5: Make the Frosting and Decorate

While the bars cool, cream together softened butter, vanilla, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy. Spread this frosting generously over the cooled bars, then have fun decorating with candy corn and sprinkles. I love how the colors pop here – it’s the ultimate festive touch.

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Pro Tips for Making Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe

Don’t Overbake: I’ve learned that even a minute or two too long makes the bars dry—pull them as soon as edges are set but center is still a touch soft.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid colors can mess with dough consistency, but gel gives those perfect candy corn orange and yellow tones without extra moisture.
Layer with Care: Rolling out the orange layer makes it much easier to transfer and keep even thickness—don’t just squish it on!
Let Bars Cool Fully: Frosting won’t spread nicely if the bars are even a little warm, so patience here pays off beautifully.

How to Serve Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe

The image shows several square dessert bars arranged closely on a baking tray. Each bar has three visible layers: a thick, golden-yellow bottom layer with a slightly crumbly texture, a middle orange layer that looks moist and cake-like, and a smooth, white frosting layer on top. The white frosting is decorated with candy corn pieces placed irregularly, featuring bright yellow, orange, and white colors, and small round red and yellow sprinkles scattered around. The surface beneath the tray is a white marbled texture with soft lighting focusing on the dessert bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic candy corn pieces for garnish because they add that crunch and fun nostalgia. Sometimes I’ll throw on a few orange and yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar to give the top extra sparkle—especially when I’m serving these at a kid’s party.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a warm drink like chai tea or hot apple cider. If you’re making a full dessert spread, I love serving them alongside spiced pumpkin muffins or salted caramel popcorn for an autumn-inspired fluff.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween gatherings, I’ve layered these bars on a tiered dessert stand with little decorative picks shaped like pumpkins or ghosts. They also look super cute cut into smaller bite-sized squares arranged on a platter with festive napkins — perfect for kids.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay delicious for up to 4 days, but honesty? They usually don’t last that long in my house! The frosting stays creamy and the bars retain their soft texture when chilled properly.

Freezing

These bars freeze really well, especially uncut. I wrap the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw in the fridge overnight. This way, the cake and frosting taste just as fresh as day one.

Reheating

If you want a slightly melty texture, I pop a piece in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It softens the frosting just a bit and makes the cookie bar feel freshly baked without drying it out.

FAQs

Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?

While liquid food coloring can be used, I recommend gel for this Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe because it provides more vibrant colors without altering the dough’s texture or making it too wet.
How do I prevent the cookie bars from becoming dry?

Watch your baking time closely and remove the bars from the oven as soon as the edges are set and the center looks just done. Also, let the bars cool completely before frosting so the texture stays soft and moist.
Can I make these bars ahead for a party?

Absolutely! You can bake the bars a day ahead and frost them the same day you plan to serve. If you need to make them further in advance, freeze unfrosted bars and thaw before frosting and decorating.
Is this recipe kid-friendly to help make?

Yes! Kids love helping color the dough and decorate the bars with candy corn. Just assist with the oven part or handle baking yourself for safety.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times these Candy Corn Cookie Bars Recipe have made an appearance during fall gatherings and Halloween parties. They’re the perfect mix of fun, flavor, and festive flair. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do — it’s like sharing a little bit of seasonal joy in every bite. Go on, grab your ingredients and treat yourself to this sweet little slice of candy corn happiness!