{
  "attribution": {
    "author": "Flavor Folio",
    "publisher": "Flavor Folio"
  },
  "canonicalURL": "https://flavorfolio.app/recipes/leftover-halloween-candy-peanut-butter-cookies",
  "format": "flavorfolio.recipe",
  "image": {
    "alt": "Stacked chewy peanut butter cookies studded with colorful candy-coated chocolates and chocolate chips",
    "credit": "Photo: Ginny (flickr.com/people/78011127@N00), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peanut_butter_cookies_with_m%26m%27s_and_chocolate_chips.jpg)",
    "height": 719,
    "kind": "photograph",
    "smallWidth": 600,
    "url": "https://flavorfolio.app/media/f917c98a-9f2d-40e0-ac6e-a820a3b2c4d0/1536.jpg",
    "width": 1280
  },
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-31T00:00:00Z",
  "recipe": {
    "categories": [
      "Dessert",
      "Snacks"
    ],
    "cookMinutes": 22,
    "cuisine": "American",
    "dietTags": [
      "Vegetarian"
    ],
    "difficulty": "easy",
    "ingredients": [
      {
        "item": "unsalted butter",
        "note": "113 g, softened",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "creamy peanut butter",
        "note": "no-stir style, such as Jif or Skippy",
        "quantity": "3/4",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "light brown sugar",
        "note": "packed",
        "quantity": "3/4",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "granulated sugar",
        "note": "plus 2 tbsp for rolling",
        "quantity": "1/4",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "large egg",
        "note": "room temperature",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": ""
      },
      {
        "item": "vanilla extract",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "all-purpose flour",
        "note": "190 g, spooned and leveled",
        "quantity": "1 1/2",
        "unit": "cups"
      },
      {
        "item": "baking soda",
        "quantity": "3/4",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "fine salt",
        "quantity": "1/4",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "chopped leftover chocolate candy",
        "note": "about 8 oz; peanut butter cups, Snickers, Kit Kat, Twix, M&M's, Milky Way",
        "quantity": "1 1/2",
        "unit": "cups"
      },
      {
        "item": "semisweet chocolate chips",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "flaky sea salt",
        "note": "optional, for topping",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "tsp"
      }
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "leftover Halloween candy",
      "leftover candy recipes",
      "candy cookies",
      "peanut butter cookies",
      "Reese's cookies",
      "Snickers cookies",
      "M&M cookies",
      "kitchen sink cookies",
      "Halloween cookies",
      "freezer cookie dough"
    ],
    "prepMinutes": 28,
    "servings": 24,
    "steps": [
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 6,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          9
        ],
        "instruction": "Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment. Chop the candy into roughly 1/2-inch pieces and set aside about 1/4 cup of the prettiest pieces for pressing on top."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 2,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          0,
          1,
          2,
          3
        ],
        "instruction": "In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar with a wooden spoon or hand mixer until smooth and lighter in color, about 2 minutes."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 1,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          4,
          5
        ],
        "instruction": "Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully combined and glossy, about 1 minute."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 2,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          6,
          7,
          8,
          10
        ],
        "instruction": "Sprinkle the flour, baking soda and salt over the bowl and stir just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in the chopped candy and chocolate chips."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 15,
        "instruction": "Chill the dough for 15 minutes so the cookies stay thick and the candy doesn't ooze out. (Or refrigerate up to 2 days.)"
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 6,
        "instruction": "Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon balls, roll each in the remaining 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and space them 2 inches apart on the sheets, 12 per sheet. Flatten slightly with your palm and press the reserved candy pieces on top."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 22,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          11
        ],
        "instruction": "Bake one sheet at a time for 10 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers still look soft. Sprinkle with flaky salt right out of the oven, if using."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 15,
        "instruction": "Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes so they firm up, then move them to a rack and cool at least 10 minutes more before stacking."
      }
    ],
    "summary": "Turn the leftover trick-or-treat haul into soft, chewy peanut butter cookies loaded with chopped Reese's, Snickers, Kit Kats, M&M's and chocolate chips. One bowl, no mixer required, and the dough freezes beautifully.",
    "title": "Leftover Halloween Candy Peanut Butter Cookies (Soft & Chewy)",
    "totalMinutes": 65
  },
  "recipeID": "8d04dfd6-94e8-466c-8f23-22149a217c99",
  "revision": 1,
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-31T12:07:53.432609Z"
}