Crumbl Snickers Cookies Copycat: A Candy Bar Treat

I love going to the cookie shop to see the new flavors. There is one cookie that always makes me happy. It is the peanut butter cookie topped with candy bars. It is thick and soft. It has gooey caramel and chocolate on top. This cookie is very big. One cookie is usually enough for two people to share. But I usually want the whole thing for myself because it tastes so good.

Buying these cookies every week can get very expensive. I decided to try making them in my own kitchen. It took a few tries to get the dough just right. I wanted that soft texture that melts in your mouth. Now I have a recipe that tastes just like the shop version. You can save money and have fresh cookies whenever you want. Your house will smell like a sweet bakery while they bake.

Today you will learn how to make these giant treats from scratch. I will show you every step of the process. We will talk about how to make the base dough and how to melt the toppings. You do not need to be a professional baker to do this. Just follow my simple steps and you will be a cookie hero. Let’s get your apron on and start baking together!

Check out the full list of what you need below.

The Secrets to a Perfect Giant Cookie

Making a cookie this big is a little different than making small ones. If you use a regular recipe, the cookie might get too flat. These need to stay thick and puffy. The secret is using cold butter and not over-mixing the dough. If you mix too much, the cookie gets tough. We want them to stay soft like a cloud. I also found that chilling the dough helps a lot. It keeps the shape perfectly round while it sits in the oven.

Gathering Your Tasty Ingredients

Baking ingredients for peanut butter cookies on a marble table.

To start this project, you need to check your pantry. Most of these items are things you likely already have. You will need all-purpose flour and baking soda. These give the cookie its structure. You also need salt because it makes the chocolate taste better. For the sugars, I use both white sugar and brown sugar. The brown sugar keeps the cookie moist and chewy. It has a deep flavor that goes great with peanuts.

The star of the show is the peanut butter. I recommend using a creamy brand like Jif or Peter Pan. Natural peanut butter that you have to stir can be too oily for this recipe. You also need cold butter cut into cubes. For the toppings, grab a bag of milk chocolate chips and some caramel bits. Of course, you cannot forget the actual Snickers bars. I buy the fun-size ones and chop them into small pieces. It makes the top of the cookie look very fancy.

The Full Ingredients List

Creamy peanut butter in a bowl with brown sugar.
  • 1 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed tight
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 large eggs, cold from the fridge
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (for melting)
  • 1 cup caramel bits or soft caramels
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream (for the caramel)
  • 6-8 fun-size Snickers bars, chopped

This list makes about 10 to 12 very large cookies. If you want smaller cookies, you can make them half the size. Just remember to cook them for less time. I think the big ones are more fun because they look just like the ones from the store. My friends always gasp when I bring a tray of these out. They look like they came from a professional shop.

Recipe Quick Info

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Servings: 12 large cookies
  • Difficulty: Medium

Mixing Your Cookie Dough

Peanut butter cookie dough being mixed in a stand mixer.

First, turn your oven to 375 degrees. While that warms up, get a big bowl or a stand mixer. Put your cold butter cubes and both sugars in the bowl. Mix them together until they look like small crumbs. Do not let the butter melt. Keeping it cold is the trick to a thick cookie. Once that is done, add the peanut butter. Mix it again until it is smooth and smells like a peanut butter dream. FYI, this part smells amazing!

Next, add your eggs one at a time. Mix after each egg. Pour in the vanilla too. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly pour the dry flour into the wet peanut butter mix. Turn the mixer on low. Stop as soon as the white flour disappears. If you keep mixing, the cookies will be hard like rocks. We want them to be soft and bendy. The dough will be very heavy and thick at this point.

Shaping the Giant Rounds

Large balls of dough on a baking sheet.

Now it is time to make the cookies big. I use a large measuring cup to scoop the dough. Each cookie should be about half a cup of dough. That is a lot! Roll the dough into a ball with your hands. It should be about the size of a tennis ball. Place only four or five cookies on a large baking sheet. They need a lot of room because they will spread out. I learned this the hard way when I put six on a pan and they all melted into one giant square cookie.

Once they are on the pan, lightly press down on the top with your palm. Do not flatten them too much. You just want to stop them from rolling around. If you have time, put the whole tray in the fridge for ten minutes. This makes the butter cold again. It ensures the cookie stays tall while it bakes. This is a step most people skip, but it makes a huge difference in how they look.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Freshly baked peanut butter cookies cooling on a rack.

Put the tray in the oven. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the edges to look dry and slightly brown. The middle might still look a little soft or undercooked. That is actually perfect! Cookies keep cooking for a few minutes after you take them out of the heat. If you wait until the middle is hard, they will be too dry once they cool down. Trust the process and take them out when they look just barely done.

Let the cookies sit on the hot pan for at least 15 minutes. This is the hardest part because they smell so good. But if you try to move them now, they will break apart. They need time to set and get firm. Once they are firm, move them to a wire rack. They need to be completely cool before we add the toppings. If the cookie is hot, the caramel and chocolate will just slide right off the sides onto the floor.

Adding the Candy Bar Toppings

The toppings are what turn a good cookie into a great cookie. We are going to use layers. First comes a layer of chocolate. Then we add a layer of caramel. Finally, we put the chopped candy bars on top. This makes every bite have different textures. It is sweet, salty, and crunchy all at once. Making the toppings look neat takes a little bit of patience. But don’t worry, even if they look messy, they will still taste like heaven.

Melting Chocolate and Caramel

Bowls of melted chocolate and caramel for cookie toppings.

Get two microwave-safe bowls. Put the chocolate chips in one. Put the caramel bits and heavy cream in the other. Put the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir it well. If it is not smooth, do another 15 seconds. Be careful not to burn it. Chocolate can burn very fast and then it tastes bitter. Keep stirring until it looks like shiny ribbon. Set it aside for a moment while you do the caramel.

Heat the caramel bits the same way. The heavy cream helps the caramel stay soft even after it cools. If you don’t use cream, the caramel might get as hard as a rock. This could hurt someone’s teeth! Stir the caramel until it is completely smooth. If you see lumps, keep heating it in short bursts. Now you have two warm bowls of goodness ready to go. I usually sneak a little taste of the caramel here just to make sure it is okay. IMO, it is the best part of the whole recipe.

Assembling Your Masterpiece

Putting chocolate and candy on top of a cookie.

Now we put it all together. Take a spoon and spread a circle of melted chocolate on top of each cool cookie. Leave a little space around the edge so you can see the peanut butter base. Next, take the caramel. Drizzle it over the chocolate in a zigzag pattern. You can also just put a dollop in the center. There is no wrong way to do this. Just make sure every cookie gets a fair share of the gold stuff.

While the caramel and chocolate are still wet, grab your chopped Snickers pieces. Press them gently into the top. The wet chocolate acts like glue to keep the candy in place. I like to add a tiny pinch of sea salt on top at the very end. It cuts through the sugar and makes the flavors pop. Now your cookies look exactly like they came from that famous pink box. You should feel very proud of yourself!

Pro Baking Tips

  • Room Temp Eggs: Even though the butter should be cold, eggs mix better if they sit out for ten minutes.
  • Parchment Paper: Always use this so your cookies never stick to the metal pan.
  • Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife to chop the candy bars so they don’t squash.

How to Serve and Store

A stack of cookies with a glass of milk.

These cookies are very rich. I like to serve them with a big glass of cold milk. The milk helps wash down the thick peanut butter and sweet caramel. You can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fancy dessert. If you are having a party, you can cut them into fourths like a pizza. This way, everyone gets a piece without getting a sugar rush. They are perfect for birthdays or bake sales.

If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container. They stay fresh on the counter for about three days. If you want them to last longer, put them in the fridge. The cold makes the caramel a bit chewy, which I actually really like. You can even freeze them! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. When you want a treat, let it thaw for an hour. Or, put it in the microwave for ten seconds to make it warm and gooey again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A broken peanut butter cookie showing the soft inside.

One big mistake is using warm butter. If your butter is soft when you start, the cookies will spread out like pancakes. They will be thin and greasy. Always use butter straight from the fridge. Another mistake is over-baking. These cookies do not look done when you take them out. If they look brown and hard in the oven, they will be very dry later. Take them out while the center still looks a bit wet.

This recipe may not work if you use natural almond butter or sunflower butter. They have different amounts of oil and might make the dough too runny. Stick to the classic creamy peanut butter for the best results. Also, make sure your baking soda is fresh. If it is old, your cookies won’t puff up. You can check it by putting a little in vinegar. If it bubbles a lot, it is still good to use. Small details like this make a huge difference in your baking.

Common Cookie Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, you can! It will add a nice crunch to the dough. Just make sure it is a standard brand and not the natural kind that separates.

What if I don’t have caramel bits?

You can use soft square caramels instead. Just unwrap them and melt them with a little milk or cream in the microwave until smooth.

Why are my cookies so flat?

Your butter was likely too warm. Try chilling your dough balls in the freezer for 15 minutes before you put them in the oven next time.

Can I make these gluten free?

You can try using a 1-to-1 gluten free flour blend. The texture might be a little different, but they should still taste very sweet and delicious.

How do I get the perfect round shape?

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use a large round bowl to gently swirl around the cookie. This pushes the edges into a circle.

Final Baking Thoughts

Making these giant cookies at home is a fun way to treat yourself. You get the same great taste of a bakery without the long lines or high prices. Remember to keep your butter cold and do not over-bake them for the softest results. Now go share these with someone you love!

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