Introduction

These Candy Bar Blondies are a delightful twist on classic blondies, packed with chopped Halloween candy for a fun, chewy, and sweet treat. Perfect for using up leftover candy and sharing with friends or family, they’re quick to make and irresistibly tasty.

This image shows square cookie bars placed on a grid cooling rack over a white marbled surface, each bar about one layer thick with a rough golden-brown cookie base mixed with chunks and pieces of colorful candy-coated chocolates and various types of chocolate candies in red, yellow, blue, orange, and green. The candy pieces are embedded in the cookie dough, adding texture and contrasting colors on top. To the upper right, there is a white bowl filled with more candy-coated chocolates and chocolate candies. At the top left and bottom right corners of the image, there are clear glass bottles and a glass of white milk, adding a fresh touch to the scene. The overall setup gives a warm, sweet, and colorful feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted until browned then cooled slightly
1 cup (200 grams) lightly packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup (127 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped Halloween candy of your choosing

Instructions

Step 1: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving two flaps hanging over the edges, and lightly grease the parchment. Set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the browned butter and brown sugar. The mixture will look grainy, which is normal.
Step 3: Whisk in the egg and beat by hand until the mixture is slightly pale, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this all at once to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until just combined. The batter will be thick.
Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup of the chopped candy. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining candy on top.
Step 6: Bake for 20 to 27 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. The blondies should be golden brown and dry on top.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 20 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment flaps and slicing into 9 pieces.

Tips & Variations

Use a variety of candies for different textures, such as chocolate bars, caramel-filled treats, or peanut butter cups.
For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
If you prefer, substitute the browned butter with melted regular butter; just be aware the nutty flavor will be milder.
Press the candy gently on top before baking to help them stick to the blondies and prevent excessive melting.

Storage

Store the blondies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual pieces slightly in the microwave to soften the candy and restore a fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

The image shows ten square blondie bars arranged on a dark cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each blondie has a golden-brown crumbly texture with chunks of melted chocolate and colorful candy-coated chocolates embedded in the top layer. The candy pieces are scattered unevenly, showing bright red, orange, blue, yellow, and green colors, and some pieces of peanut candy bars are also visible, cut in half to reveal the nutty filling. On the top right corner, a white bowl filled with similar colorful candy pieces and chocolate peanut cups sits next to the blondies. On the top left and bottom right corners, parts of two glasses of milk are slightly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use any type of candy for these blondies?

Yes, you can use any chopped candy bars you like. Choose candies that melt well and complement the blondie base, but avoid very hard candies that might not soften during baking.

Do I need to brown the butter before melting it?

While browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the blondies, you can use melted butter without browning if you’re short on time. The texture will remain delicious, but the flavor will be less complex.