If you’re someone who loves the perfect balance of rich peanut butter and crunchy, sweet candy bits in a cookie, then you are in for a treat with this Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together everything wonderful about peanut butter softness and the irresistible crunch of Butterfinger pieces into one chewy, melt-in-your-mouth bite. They are the kind of cookies that make you want to bake batch after batch just to keep the warm, sweet aroma filling your kitchen all day long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the magic begins with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a cookie with incredible texture, flavor, and a little bit of colorful crunch. Each item on this list plays a crucial role, from the creamy peanut butter giving that distinct nutty richness to the chopped Butterfinger bars adding bursts of caramelized crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a creamy base and richness that makes the cookies moist and tender.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient, lending a smooth, nutty warmth throughout the cookie.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that perfectly chewy texture.
- Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that deepens the taste.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add to the cookie’s chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, balancing the peanut butter and candy notes.
- All-purpose flour: The structure agent that helps hold the cookie’s shape.
- Baking soda: Works with baking powder for a slight lift, ensuring the cookies aren’t too dense.
- Baking powder: Adds just the right amount of puff to keep the cookies soft.
- Salt: Elevates the sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
- Chopped Butterfinger candy bars: Bursting with crunchy peanut butter-flavored candy pieces that melt slightly, creating pockets of joy.
How to Make Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly ready for baking. This step ensures that once your cookie dough is ready, you can pop those treats in immediately and get a beautifully baked batch with golden edges and chewy centers.
Step 2: Cream Together the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This creaming process is key—it traps air and helps your cookies rise just right while giving them that irresistible texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in two eggs, one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a lovely aromatic depth that ties all the flavors together beautifully in each bite.
Step 4: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed for consistent texture and flavor throughout your dough, preventing any clumps or uneven rising.
Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients with the Wet Mixture
Gradually add the flour mixture to your creamed peanut butter and sugar bowl, stirring gently. This careful blending keeps the dough tender and chewy rather than dense—which is exactly what you want from this Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe.
Step 6: Fold in the Chopped Butterfinger Candy Bars
Now, the best part: folding in the chopped Butterfinger candy bars. These chunks add wonderful pockets of crunchy sweetness that complement the soft dough perfectly. Mix just until evenly incorporated so you don’t crush the candy too much.
Step 7: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them out to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching closely until the edges start turning a lovely golden brown. The centers will still be soft, giving you that chewy texture we adore.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes so they set up without falling apart. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely, or if you’re impatient like me, grab one while warm and enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven bliss.
How to Serve Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking can enhance the sweet and salty contrast beautifully. Alternatively, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar can elevate these cookies for festive occasions without stealing the spotlight from their peanut butter and Butterfinger charm.
Side Dishes
These chewy cookies pair exceptionally well with a glass of cold milk for dipping or a hot cup of coffee for a cozy afternoon snack. If you’re aiming for an indulgent dessert, serve alongside vanilla ice cream for an easy and decadent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack these cookies into mini towers tied with a rustic ribbon or place them in clear jars layered with parchment paper. You could also sandwich two cookies together with a whipped peanut butter frosting for a fun twist, turning them into mini cookie sandwiches that delight every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and helps maintain their chewy texture without getting too soft or crumbly.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead or save some extras, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth and softness, pop cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 15 seconds. This little reheating trick makes it feel like you just pulled them fresh from the oven all over again.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture, but it might make the dough a bit chunkier. It’s a great option if you love a little nutty crunch within your cookie beyond the Butterfinger pieces.
What can I substitute if I don’t have Butterfinger candy bars?
If Butterfinger bars aren’t available, try chopped peanut butter cups or similar peanut buttery chocolate candies. They won’t replicate the exact crunch, but they’ll still add wonderful bursts of flavor and texture.
How do I ensure the cookies stay chewy?
Using both granulated and brown sugar helps retain moisture, giving the cookies their characteristic chewiness. Avoid overbaking; pulling them out when the edges are just golden keeps the centers soft and tender.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This resting time actually helps deepen the flavors and improve texture, so it’s a convenient step if you want to prepare in advance.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, you can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour, but results may vary. Be sure to choose one that works well for cookies and monitor baking times closely.
Final Thoughts
This Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe is a joyful celebration of flavors and textures that any peanut butter lover will cherish. From the first bite, you’ll appreciate the harmony of soft, chewy dough with those exciting crunchy Butterfinger bits. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your baking rotation. So go ahead, gather those simple ingredients, and bake a batch of happiness—your kitchen (and everyone’s taste buds) will thank you!
Print
Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with the crunchy, sweet delight of Butterfinger candy bars. Soft and chewy with a perfect golden edge, these cookies are an irresistible treat for peanut butter lovers and candy enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups chopped Butterfinger candy bars
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a better texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully combined before adding the next, then stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, blending it gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Fold in Candy Bars: Fold in the chopped Butterfinger candy bars carefully to evenly distribute the candy pieces throughout the cookie dough.
- Form Cookies: Drop the cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown, indicating the cookies are cooked but still soft inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to maintain a tender texture.
- Room temperature butter and eggs help the ingredients blend more smoothly.
- If Butterfinger candy bars are unavailable, chopped peanut butter cups can be a good substitute.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to five days, or frozen for longer storage.
