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This hearty, indulgent Snickers cookie recipe transforms the beloved candy bar into a soft and chewy cookie experience. The combination of caramel, chocolate, and peanuts creates a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will satisfy any dessert craving.
I first created these cookies for a potluck party and they were the first dessert to disappear. Since then, they've become my most requested treat when friends come over, especially during movie nights when we're craving something decadent.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour creates the perfect soft and chewy base for these cookies
- Baking soda provides just the right amount of lift without making them cakey
- Salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness
- Unsalted butter softened to room temperature guarantees a tender texture
- Granulated sugar gives the cookies their classic sweetness
- Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor
- Egg binds everything together while adding richness
- Vanilla extract complements the chocolate and caramel flavors
- Chopped Snickers bars are the star ingredient bringing caramel, nougat and peanuts
- Dry roasted peanuts add extra crunch and intensify the nutty flavor
- Chocolate chips provide pockets of melty chocolate throughout
- Nutella for drizzling creates an irresistible finishing touch
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together thoroughly in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream the butter and sugars
- Beat the softened butter with both sugars for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color and fluffy in texture. This step incorporates air into the dough and is crucial for the right cookie texture.
- Add wet ingredients
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until completely incorporated but avoid overmixing which can make the cookies tough. The mixture should look smooth and glossy.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Add the flour mixture gradually, mixing on low speed just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing at this stage will develop too much gluten and result in tough cookies.
- Fold in the mix ins
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the chopped Snickers, peanuts, and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough. The gentler you are, the more tender your cookies will be.
- Scoop and chill
- Form the dough into rounded tablespoons using a cookie scoop or spoon and place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least one hour to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
- Bake to perfection
- Bake in a preheated oven until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly underdone. This ensures a chewy interior with perfectly crisp edges.
- Add the finishing touch
- Once completely cooled, drizzle with warmed Nutella for an extra layer of chocolate hazelnut decadence that elevates these cookies to something truly special.
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The chopped Snickers are truly what make this cookie extraordinary. I discovered this recipe during a pantry cleanout when I found leftover Halloween candy. My daughter suggested we chop them up for cookies, and this delicious tradition was born.
Make Ahead Options
The cookie dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated. This not only makes baking day easier but actually improves the flavor as the ingredients have time to meld together. For longer storage, form the dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can bake them straight from frozen just add 2 minutes to the baking time.
Perfect Pairings
These indulgent cookies deserve a thoughtful beverage pairing. A cold glass of milk is the classic choice, creating the perfect temperature contrast with warm cookies. For adults, try serving with a dessert wine like port or a creamy coffee drink. The nutty, caramel notes in the cookies complement a latte especially well. For an extra special dessert, sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cooled cookies for an elevated ice cream sandwich experience.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your cookies spread too much during baking, your butter was likely too warm or your dough needed more chilling time. The refrigeration step is crucial for proper texture. If the cookies seem too pale or doughy after the recommended baking time, your oven might run cool. Invest in an oven thermometer for accuracy. For the Nutella drizzle, if it becomes too runny, let it cool slightly before drizzling. If too thick, warm it a few seconds more.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Can I substitute the Snickers bars with another candy?
Yes! While Snickers provides that perfect combination of chocolate, caramel and peanuts, you can substitute with other candy bars like Milky Way, Twix, or Mars bars. Each will create a slightly different flavor profile but will still produce delicious cookies.
- → Is chilling the dough really necessary?
Absolutely. Chilling the dough for at least an hour serves several important purposes: it solidifies the butter which prevents excessive spreading, develops deeper flavors as ingredients meld, and creates that perfect chewy texture with crisp edges. Don't skip this step!
- → Can I freeze the cookie dough for later?
Yes! This dough freezes beautifully. Form the dough into balls, place on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake directly from frozen, just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
- → What's the best way to drizzle the Nutella?
For the cleanest drizzle, warm the Nutella for 20-30 seconds until it's just pourable but not too hot. Transfer to a small zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner, and pipe in a zigzag motion. For a more rustic look, use the back of a spoon to drizzle.
- → How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies remain soft and fresh for 4-5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. The Nutella drizzle may lose some luster over time but the flavor remains delicious.
- → Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Yes, for a nut-free version, omit the dry roasted peanuts and use a nut-free candy alternative to Snickers that contains only chocolate and caramel. The cookies will still be delicious, though they'll miss some of that classic Snickers crunch.