Halloween Candy Cookies

This wonderful cookie recipe is a fun way to use some of the leftover candy from Halloween, if there is any leftover! If there isn't leftovers, buy regular size candy bars and cut them up; this recipe is well worth the little bit of time that it takes. This is basically a buttery-rich chocolate chip cookie recipe that has been expanded and chopped up candy bars are added instead of chocolate chips. What a treat for the family. Blessings...

Recipe:

3-2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 to 3 cups chopped candy bits (such as Butterfingers, Baby Ruth's, Heath Bars, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, etc.) 3 cups is best!

1. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugars together with a mixer until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla.
3. Reduce speed to low, gradually add flour mixture and mix just until combined. You will need to stop the mixer in order to scrape the bowl because the dough is thick and heavy.
4. Stir in the candy bits using a large spoon.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Drop dough by tablespoons onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes to set cookie. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies
Per cookie (using jelly beans): 100 calories according to the recipe publisher. It would be impossible to do a calorie count because of the variety of candy available; just enjoy!

This recipe came from a 2013 newspapers insert called, "Relish Magazine".