Description
Transform leftover Halloween candy into amazing trash can cookies! Loaded with chocolate, pretzels, and candy, these spooky cookies are a fun recipe the whole family will love. Soft, chewy, and packed with sweet-salty flavor — so easy and fun to make!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The “Trash” Mix-Ins (2–3 cups total):
1 cup chopped Halloween candy (Snickers, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Twix, etc.)
½ cup M&Ms (regular or peanut)
½ cup crushed pretzels or potato chips
½ cup chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Candy eyeballs for decoration (optional but fun!)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Mix-Ins
Unwrap and chop all candy into bite-sized pieces. Crush pretzels or chips into small chunks. Mix everything in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Prepare Oven
Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
Step 4: Cream Butter & Sugar
Beat softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Step 5: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Mix until combined.
Step 6: Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
Slowly add dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix just until combined — do not overmix.
Step 7: Add the “Trash”
Fold in all your mix-ins until evenly distributed.
Step 8: Scoop & Decorate
Scoop large balls (2–3 tbsp each) onto sheets. Press candy eyeballs or extra M&Ms on top.
Step 9: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden but centers are slightly soft.
Step 10: Cool
Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
💡 Pro Tips
Chill the dough for 30–60 mins for thicker cookies.
Balance your mix-ins: chocolate, caramel, and something salty.
Press a few extra candies on top right after baking for a bakery-style look.
🍬 Variations
Peanut Butter Trash Cookies: Add ½ cup peanut butter.
Monster Cookies: Add oats and peanut butter M&Ms.
S’mores Style: Add graham crackers and mini marshmallows.
Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
🧊 Storage
Room temp: 5 days in airtight container.
Freezer: Up to 3 months (baked or dough balls).
Reheat: Microwave 10 seconds for gooey texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 245 per cookie
- Calories: 245 per cookie
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 6g
- Fat: 30mg
- Saturated Fat: 150mg
- Unsaturated Fat: 35g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Keywords: halloween trash can cookies, leftover candy cookies, loaded cookies