Halloween Monster Cookie Bars

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The Story

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, not because of the costumes or the parties, but because of the candy. As a kid, I had a very serious system for trick-or-treating. First, I’d map out the “good houses”—you know, the ones with the king-sized candy bars. Then I’d plan my route, starting with the best spots and working my way down to the houses that gave out raisins or toothbrushes. I took my candy haul very seriously.

But here’s the thing: even with all my planning, I had one fatal flaw—I couldn’t stop myself from eating the candy as I went. While my siblings were filling their bags to the brim, I was munching on a fun-sized Snickers or a Reese’s at every other house. By the end of the night, their bags would be overflowing, and I’d be left with, like, six pieces of candy and a mild stomach ache.

Fast forward to now, and while I’m no longer wandering the neighborhood in costume, I still love Halloween treats. The only difference is, instead of raiding candy bowls, I make my own spooky-themed desserts. One of my favorites is these Halloween monster cookie bars. They’re packed with all the things I loved as a kid—peanut butter, chocolate, and candy-coated chocolates—but with a festive twist. Plus, they’re the perfect way to use up any leftover Halloween candy (if you have any left, that is).

These bars are chewy, colorful, and just a little spooky—perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treating fuel, or a late-night snack while you marathon your favorite scary movies.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms)
  • 1/2 cup chopped candy bars (optional, for extra Halloween flair)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

  2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
    In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.

  3. Add the Wet Ingredients:
    Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined.

  4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

  5. Fold in the Mix-Ins:
    Gently fold in the chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, and chopped candy bars (if using).

  6. Bake the Bars:
    Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Tips:

  • For a fun Halloween twist, use spooky-themed candy-coated chocolates or candy bars like Reese’s Pumpkins or Snickers Minis.
  • To make the bars extra festive, sprinkle candy eyeballs on top of the dough before baking for a “monster” look.
  • These bars are great for freezing—make a batch ahead of time and store them for when you need a quick Halloween treat!

Enjoy,
Lauren