If you are a cookie lover who dreams of rich flavors and a perfect texture, the Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine biting into a cookie that’s dense yet tender, bursting with creamy peanut butter goodness and irresistible chunks of crunchy Butterfinger candy bars. These cookies bring together the comforting, nutty depth of peanut butter and the satisfying crunch and sweetness of Butterfinger in a way that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this recipe is a deliciously simple way to brighten your day with something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays an important role in creating cookies that are perfectly balanced between thick, chewy, and satisfyingly crunchy. The essentials are straightforward but essential, ensuring that you can gather everything easily and bake with confidence.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides richness and moisture, making the cookies tender and smooth.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star flavor that gives these cookies their distinctive nutty and creamy punch.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed): Adds natural sweetness and helps keep the cookies chewy with its molasses content.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances sweetness and contributes to the slight crisp edge.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and helps build structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The foundation that gives the cookies their thick, sturdy texture.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Leavens the dough to create just the right amount of rise.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
- Chopped Butterfinger candy bars (1 cup): Brings in that electrifying crunch and buttery, caramelized candy flavor you’ll crave.
How to Make Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This preparation helps your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet perfectly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is key to developing that rich, chewy texture and ensuring the sugars dissolve to sweet perfection.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamy base. The egg adds moisture and structure, while vanilla gives a fragrant, sweet lift that enhances the peanut butter’s warmth.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Together
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Combining these dry ingredients separately ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed, which leads to uniform texture in each cookie.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Mixing until just combined prevents overworking the dough, which might make the cookies tough instead of thick and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in Butterfinger Chunks
Gently fold in the chopped Butterfinger pieces. Incorporating the candy bars at this stage makes sure that every cookie has pockets of that crunchy, peanut-buttery candy surprise.
Step 7: Scoop the Dough
Using a tablespoon, scoop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give the cookies room to spread without running into each other.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden while the centers remain soft. This timing locks in that irresistible chewy texture while giving a delicate crispness on the outside.
Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting time helps them set so they don’t fall apart when moved to a wire rack to cool completely, giving you perfect, sturdy yet tender treats.
How to Serve Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delightful on their own, sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before serving adds a fantastic contrast that highlights the peanut butter’s richness and the sweetness of the Butterfinger pieces.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The temperature and creaminess of the drinks or ice cream complement the thick and chewy indulgence beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, stack the cookies and sandwich some peanut butter frosting or chocolate ganache between two. Or crumble leftover cookies over ice cream or yogurt for a luscious dessert topping that your guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. The container helps keep them moist and chewy, maintaining their signature texture perfectly.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. For dough, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. For baked cookies, freeze in an airtight container to enjoy the taste of freshly baked cookies any time.
Reheating
If you want to revive that fresh-baked warmth, pop cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or the oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This gentle reheating unlocks the gooey center and crispy edges that make these cookies so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you love added peanut texture, but the cookies will be a bit chunkier overall. Creamy peanut butter helps maintain that smooth, thick chewiness the recipe aims for.
Are Butterfinger pieces necessary?
The chopped Butterfinger candy bars add a signature crunch and flavor, but if you can’t find them, you can swap in other crunchy peanut butter candies or chopped peanut brittle for a similar effect.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures one-to-one. This swap keeps the texture close to perfect while making the recipe accessible to gluten-sensitive eaters.
How large should I make each cookie?
Using about a tablespoon-sized scoop yields the ideal cookie size for a thick, chewy result. Larger or smaller cookies will affect baking time and texture, so stick close to this measurement for best results.
Why do my cookies sometimes come out flat?
If your cookies spread too much, check that your butter isn’t too melted and your flour measurement is accurate. Slightly under-measuring flour or using over-softened butter can cause flat cookies instead of thick and chewy ones.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something magical about making and sharing the Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe. It’s a recipe that combines ease and indulgence perfectly, delivering cookies that feel both homemade and decadent. Once you try these, they will not only become a staple in your baking repertoire but a joyful treat you’ll want to share with everyone you care about. So, preheat that oven and get ready to experience cookie bliss in every bite!
Print
Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
Description
These Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies combine rich creamy peanut butter with crunchy Butterfinger candy bars for a delightful texture and flavor. Perfectly soft in the middle with a slightly crisp edge, these cookies are an irresistible treat for peanut butter lovers and candy enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped Butterfinger candy bars
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream the butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add egg and vanilla. Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the mixture, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Combine wet and dry. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Butterfinger pieces. Carefully fold in the chopped Butterfinger candy bars to distribute them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop dough. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, place dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake cookies. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden color while the centers remain soft to achieve a chewy texture.
- Cool the cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set and prevents breaking.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with the sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- You can substitute Butterfinger candy bars with other crunchy peanut butter candy bars if desired.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the cookies and allow them to finish setting while cooling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
