Name: Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup flour; 2 tsp corn starch; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 stick butter; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 3 tbsp white granulated sugar; 1 egg, room temperature; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp water, room temperature; 1 1/2 cup leftover Halloween candy, chopped

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 17 reviews

Alright, friend, if you’re staring at a bag of leftover Halloween candy wondering what on earth to do with it, I’ve got the *ultimate* sweet solution for you. This Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe is not just a clever way to use up those extra treats—it’s downright delicious and surprisingly easy to pull off. I’m super excited to share this one with you because these cookies come out soft, chewy, and packed with all those nostalgic candies you’ve been hoarding since late October. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to bake them all year round.

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Why This Recipe Works

Clever Candy Use: It transforms all your leftover Halloween candy into fun, soft cookies instead of letting them gather dust.
Soft & Chewy Texture: The mix of brown sugar and cornstarch keeps the cookies tender but sturdy enough to hold chunky candy pieces.
Simple Ingredients: You’re probably already stocked for this recipe, making it quick and stress-free to whip up whenever you want.
Customizable Candy: Use whatever candy you have on hand — chocolate, gummies, or peanut butter cups — the cookies still turn out amazing.

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies, Halloween Candy Cookie Recipe, Soft Chewy Candy Cookies, Easy Halloween Candy Cookies, Festive Holiday Cookie Ideas - The image shows a close-up of three soft, thick cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light golden-brown color with a slightly rough texture. The cookies are decorated with colorful candy pieces in purple, yellow, orange, and red scattered unevenly on the surface. Additionally, there are chunks of mixed chocolate pieces embedded, including milk chocolate with a creamy filling and small peanut butter cup pieces with a textured striped pattern. The cookies appear fresh and slightly warm. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe come together to create the perfect balance of sweet, tender cookie dough with bursts of candy surprises in every bite. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need and why these choices are the best.

Butter: Using real butter gives the cookies richness and a soft crumb. Don’t skip the butter or sub with margarine— it’s essential for flavor and texture.
Brown Sugar: It adds moisture and chewiness thanks to its molasses content, perfect for soft cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps cookies spread just the right amount.
Egg (room temperature): Helps bind everything and adds moisture, making sure your cookies don’t turn out cakey or dry.
Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla always enhances the flavor of cookies — don’t underestimate it!
Water (room temperature): This might seem odd, but it actually helps keep the dough supple and helps the ingredients incorporate nicely.
Flour: All-purpose flour is perfect here because it gives just enough structure without making the cookies tough.
Cornstarch: This is my secret weapon for extra-soft cookies — it softens the texture and prevents chewiness from becoming too dense.
Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a nice lift and helps them spread just right.
Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor — a must-have even in sweet treats!
Leftover Halloween Candy (chopped): Here’s where the fun comes in — chop up whatever candies you have leftover and fold them in. It’s what makes these cookies special and unique every time.

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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 my favorite parts about this Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I like to swap candies seasonally or tweak the dough just a bit depending on what flavors I’m craving, and I encourage you to do the same. It’s your cookie party!

Variation: When I have peanut butter cups leftover, I chop them up to add a rich, salty bite—so good! If you’re avoiding chocolate, gummy candies or toffee bits work beautifully as well.
Diet-friendly tweaks: For dairy-free versions, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, and it still comes out tasty.
Texture play: I’ve added a handful of chopped nuts for extra crunch; you might love that added texture too.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep & Mix Dry Ingredients

First things first—I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and line my baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a medium bowl, I whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until everything is well combined. This keeps the baking soda and salt evenly distributed, which helps your cookies bake evenly too. Set this bowl aside and get ready for some mixing fun!

Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars

In your stand mixer bowl (or a large mixing bowl if you’re using a hand mixer), cream the softened butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. I like to start on medium speed and increase slightly until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step is key because it incorporates air, giving you that lovely soft texture to your cookies. Don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Next, I add the room temperature egg, water, and vanilla extract. Mix just until everything is combined—about 30 seconds to 1 minute. It’s tempting to overmix here, but gentle is best to keep your cookies tender. You’ll notice the dough starts to come together beautifully.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients & Candy

Now, on medium-low speed, I add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix just until combined—remember, overmixing toughens your cookies, so keep it brief and sweet! Finally, fold in about 1 1/2 cups of chopped leftover Halloween candy with a spatula. This step is always so satisfying, especially seeing bits of chocolate, caramel, or candy-coated pieces peeking through the dough.

Step 5: Scoop, Chill, & Bake

I grab my trusty ice cream scooper to portion out 10 equally sized dough balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Then, pop them in the fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes. This chilling step is *golden* because it prevents cookies from spreading too thin and turning into crispy pancakes. Once chilled, bake them for 12-14 minutes or until the edges look set but the centers feel slightly soft—don’t worry if they look a little underdone; they’ll finish cooking as they cool.

Step 6: Cool & Enjoy

After baking, I let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes. This little resting period helps the cookies firm up just enough to move without breaking. Then I transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Full disclosure: I actually love these cookies best after they’ve cooled for a few hours—the flavors really meld beautifully over time. Give it a try if you can wait!

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Pro Tips for Making Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe

Chop Candy Evenly: I like to chop the candy into roughly similar-sized pieces so every cookie gets a good candy distribution without large chunks that melt unevenly.
Don’t Skip Chilling: I learned the hard way that skipping the chilling step makes the cookies spread too much and lose their soft texture.
Room Temp Ingredients: Using room temperature egg and water helps everything combine smoothly and keeps your dough from being grainy or lumpy.
Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze—plus, cookies bake more evenly with it than a greased cookie sheet.

How to Serve Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep things simple with these cookies and don’t add a garnish, but if you’re feeling fancy, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness. For extra flair, dust with powdered sugar after they cool—you’ll love the visual and the taste bonus.

Side Dishes

These cookies are sweet and rich, so I like pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee to balance out the candy overload. If you’re hosting a gathering, I’ve also served them alongside vanilla or cinnamon ice cream; the combo was a showstopper everyone asked for again!

Creative Ways to Present

One fun idea I’ve tried is arranging the cookies on a festive platter with some mini candy bars scattered around and using a bright orange or black tablecloth for a Halloween vibe—even though you’re baking these after Halloween, the nostalgia is part of the fun! Another time, I packaged small batches in cute cellophane bags tied with ribbon for neighbors — perfect for gifting leftover candy in cookie form.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, usually layering wax paper between them to prevent sticking. They stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days, but I rarely have leftovers lying around that long!

Freezing

If I want to save some for later, I freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When I’m ready to bake, I let them thaw just a bit and bake as usual. Baked cookies can also be frozen, but I prefer dough freezing for fresh-baked taste.

Reheating

To reheat leftover cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to refresh their soft texture without drying them out. You can also microwave them for 10-15 seconds, but the oven method gives better even warmth.

FAQs

Can I use any type of Halloween candy for the cookies?

Absolutely! This Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe is super flexible. You can mix chocolates, gummies, peanut butter cups, or even caramel chews. Just chop them into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the cookie dough for the best texture and flavor.
Why do you chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps maintain a nice, chewy texture. It also allows the flavors to meld together so your cookies taste even better!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that contains xanthan gum or guar gum. The cornstarch helps keep the cookies soft, so together they work well for gluten-free baking.
How should I store these cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft for days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is your best bet either as dough or baked cookies.

Final Thoughts

This Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it turns leftover treats — which otherwise might go to waste — into a creative, tasty family favorite. It’s such a joy to watch the candies melt into the cookies while baking, creating those gooey, colorful pockets that delight every bite. I hope you find as much fun and comfort making these as I do. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how satisfying it feels to turn candy overload into cookie perfection!