Irresistible Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies: A Classic Recipe with a Sweet, Crunchy Twist

Just look at that cookie. Thin, crisp, and wonderfully inviting. These aren’t just any peanut butter cookies; they are a delightful fusion of classic comfort and an unexpected crunchy twist. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of rich peanut butter flavor with the added excitement of crushed Butterfinger candy bars, creating a texture and taste experience that truly stands out.

These Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cookies hold a special place in my heart, ranking among my all-time favorites. Their appeal goes beyond their incredible taste; it’s deeply rooted in the story of where the recipe originated and the beautiful women who shared it with me.

A Legacy of Love: The Story Behind These Cherished Cookies

The journey of this recipe begins with my beloved Mother-in-law, Mary Lou. From the moment I first met her, I was enveloped in her warmth and kindness. Her greeting was always a great big hug, a gesture that immediately signaled the start of a truly wonderful friendship. She wasn’t just my mother-in-law; she was my friend, a confidante, and a source of quiet wisdom.

I feel incredibly blessed to have known her. Without explicitly trying, she taught me so much about being a mom, simply through her boundless example. Her home was a sanctuary where hugs, kisses, and the warmest smiles were lavished upon anyone who entered. You always felt genuinely welcome, not because she expected you, but because she was truly overjoyed to see you. We talked almost every day, about everything and nothing, forging a bond closer than most friendships. We lost her far too soon, but her spirit, her love, and her recipes continue to bring comfort and joy.

While Mary Lou shared this recipe with me, it wasn’t originally hers. It came from her sister-in-law, my Aunt Barbara. Aunt Barbara was cut from the same cloth as Mary Lou – full of life, bursting with love, and radiating genuine warmth to everyone around her.

Southern women, in my experience, are born nurturers. It doesn’t matter whose baby it is; they will lovingly scoop them up, showering them with “sugar” (affectionate kisses). They have an incredible ability to stop whatever they’re doing and give their full, undivided attention to a child. And oh, can they cook! Their culinary skills are legendary. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever compare to Aunt Barbara’s homemade biscuits. I remember her trying to teach me once, but her method was a true art form: she made her biscuits in a giant tin of flour, adding ingredients “until the dough felt right.” A precise recipe was simply not in her nature, and try as I might, I was never able to perfectly replicate her magical touch.

So, every time I bake these peanut butter cookies, I’m transported back to the loving memories of these two remarkable women. Their legacy of kindness, generosity, and home-cooked goodness is baked right into every batch.

The Perfect Blend: Why These Peanut Butter Cookies Stand Out

What makes these particular peanut butter cookies so special? They offer a delightful departure from many traditional peanut butter cookie recipes. To me, they are more of a harmonious cross between a classic peanut butter cookie and a crisp sugar cookie. They boast a wonderfully thin and crisp texture that is incredibly satisfying, rather than being overly thick or chewy. This unique base provides the perfect canvas for a truly inspired addition.

The idea to incorporate Butterfinger candy bars wasn’t part of the original family recipe, but it was a stroke of genius! I owe this fantastic inspiration to The Farm Girl. When she posted her recipe for peanut butter cookies with chopped Butterfinger bars, I knew I had to try it. I was eager to combine her brilliant idea with my cherished family recipe, confident that the combination would be nothing short of spectacular. And it was! The crunchy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery bits of Butterfinger add an irresistible layer of texture and flavor, elevating a classic to a whole new level of deliciousness.

So, whether you decide to make these cookies with or without the candy (though I highly recommend the Butterfinger!), you are guaranteed to love them. They deliver on flavor, texture, and a comforting homemade feel. I promise, they’ll quickly become a new favorite in your cookie rotation.

Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cookies

Achieving that perfect thin and crisp texture, along with maximizing the flavor of these Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cookies, comes down to a few key baking tips:

Soften Your Butter: Ensure your butter is properly softened, but not melted. This allows it to cream effectively with the sugars, creating an airy base that contributes to the cookies’ light texture.
Creaming is Key: Don’t rush the creaming process. Beating the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until fluffy incorporates air, which is essential for that desired thin and crisp result.
Don’t Skip the Roll: Rolling the dough balls in extra granulated sugar before baking adds a beautiful sparkle and an extra layer of crispness to the cookie’s exterior. It also helps in achieving a delightful crust.
The Classic Crisscross: The traditional fork marks on peanut butter cookies aren’t just for aesthetics; they help the cookies spread evenly and bake uniformly.
Mind the Spacing: These cookies are known to spread, and they spread a lot! Give them ample space on your ungreased cookie sheet to prevent them from merging into one giant cookie. About 2 inches between each dough ball is a good rule of thumb.
Precision Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your oven. Baking for 9-10 minutes (I personally find 9.5 minutes to be ideal) in a preheated 375-degree Fahrenheit oven is crucial. You want the edges to be set and lightly golden, but the centers still slightly soft. This ensures they cool to a perfect crispness without becoming brittle or overly hard.
Rest and Cool: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes after removing them from the oven. They will be delicate. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them set and firm up, making them easier to handle and preventing them from breaking.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
8 snack size Butterfinger bars, chopped (optional but really good in the cookies)
extra granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions

Stir together flour, soda and salt and set aside. In a mixing bowl, Beat butter for about 30 seconds, just to cream it a bit. Add sugars and peanut butter. Beat until fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla, beat well. Add flour mixture and mix until all combined.
Now fold in your chopped Butterfinger bars. Shape dough into 1-inch balls then roll balls in granulated sugar.Place on ungreased cookie sheet and crisscross with a fork. You know what I’m talking about, the marks you make for peanut butter cookies. Don’t place cookies too close together, these spread….alot.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 9-10 minutes, I cook mine for 9 1/2 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Remove to racks to cool completely.

Notes

recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com

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More Cookie Love? Explore Our Other Delicious Recipes!

If you’ve fallen in love with these Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cookies and are looking for more delightful treats, you’re in the right place! Here are some other cherished cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings:

Chocolate Malted Cookies

Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Caramel Apple Toffee Cookies

We hope these recipes bring as much joy to your kitchen and your taste buds as they do to ours. Happy baking!