Sweet Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars Recipe: Clever Treat Magic

Transforming leftover candy into a delightful shortbread bars treat is easier than you might expect.

Sweet crumbs of forgotten holiday treasures can become something magical in your kitchen.

Rich, buttery shortbread provides the perfect canvas for those random chocolate pieces and sugary remnants.

Crushed candies scattered across golden-brown dough create a delectable landscape of unexpected flavors.

Each bite promises a surprise, blending familiar comfort with playful culinary creativity.

Chocolate chips, caramel fragments, and colorful sprinkles meld into a dessert that celebrates spontaneous baking adventures.

FAQs

• How do I choose the right candy for this recipe?

Select a mix of chocolate bars and candy-coated chocolates with different textures and flavors. Chopped candy bars like Snickers, Milky Way, or Reese’s work great, and M&M’s or similar candies add extra crunch and color.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free to maintain the recipe’s integrity.

• What's the best way to chop the candy bars?

Use a sharp knife on a cutting board and cut the candy bars into small, bite-sized pieces. Try to create uniform chunks so they distribute evenly across the shortbread surface.

• Why do I need to return the pan to the oven after adding chocolate chips?

This brief additional time helps the chocolate chips soften and become spreadable, allowing you to create a smooth, even chocolate layer that will hold the candy pieces perfectly.

Bars That Put Leftover Halloween Candy to Good Use

• Effortless Transformation: Reimagine leftover Halloween candy into a delectable dessert that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Create a mouthwatering shortbread bar with minimal baking skills, perfect for novice bakers looking to whip up something impressive in no time.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Delight both kids and adults with a versatile recipe that combines the classic richness of shortbread with the playful crunch of favorite candies, making it ideal for family gatherings and casual get-togethers.
• Waste-Reducing Culinary Hack: Solve the post-holiday candy dilemma by transforming excess sweets into a delicious dessert that prevents food waste and satisfies sweet cravings.

Leftover Halloween Candy Shortbread Bars What You’ll Need

• Butter: Creamy base for rich shortbread texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and caramel notes.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for shortbread crust.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates smooth melted chocolate layer.
• Chopped Candy Bars, Candy-Coated Chocolates: Adds festive crunch and sweet decorative element.

• Parchment Paper, Baking Spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.

Baking Shortbread Bars with Leftover Candy

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, making sure some paper hangs over the edges. Give the paper a quick spray with baking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Base

Use a stand mixer to whip butter, brown sugar, and kosher salt until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This should take around 3-5 minutes of mixing.

Step 3: Form Shortbread Dough

Slowly add flour to the butter mixture. Mix until everything combines smoothly. If the dough looks crumbly, don’t worry! Use your hands to press it into the prepared pan, which will help the dough stick together.

Step 4: Bake Golden Shortbread

Spread the dough evenly in the pan. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the shortbread turns a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 5: Chocolate Magic

Pull the hot shortbread out and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips across the surface. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes to help the chocolate start melting.

Step 6: Smooth Chocolate Layer

Remove from the oven and use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly across the shortbread crust.

Step 7: Candy Carnival Topping

Scatter your favorite chopped candy bars and candy-coated chocolates over the melted chocolate. Gently press them into the surface so they stick.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool for at least 30 minutes or overnight to allow the chocolate to set completely. Slice into 16 delicious squares and enjoy your post-Halloween treat!

Storage Tip: Keep leftover bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Shortbread Bar Tips for Leftover Halloween Candy

• Crush Candy Strategically: Chop candy bars into different sizes for varied texture and visual interest in each bar bite.
• Chocolate Melting Magic: Let residual oven heat softly melt chocolate chips for smooth, even coating without burning.
• Prevent Sticky Situation: Line pan with parchment paper extending over sides for easy bar removal and clean cutting.
• Temperature Matters: Allow shortbread to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean, crisp bar edges and stable structure.
• Candy Preservation Trick: Store bars in single layer between parchment paper to maintain chocolate sheen and prevent sticking.

Save Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars

• Seal leftovers in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for 3-5 days at a cool temperature.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months for maximum flavor retention.
• Store in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Maintains quality for 2-3 days at normal room conditions.
• Warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at 50% power to restore softness. Alternatively, let bars sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore original texture.

Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars Enjoyment Ideas

• Pair with Sweet Sips: Indulge your Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars with a creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, creating a decadent dessert experience that complements the rich chocolate and sweet candy flavors.
• Contrast with Tangy Beverage: Serve alongside a cold glass of raspberry iced tea, which cuts through the sweetness and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, buttery shortbread base.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: Match with a small pour of moscato d'asti, a light, slightly sparkling sweet wine that enhances the dessert's sugary notes without overwhelming the delicate shortbread texture.
• Complement with Coffee: Enjoy with a smooth cappuccino or latte, where the espresso's robust flavor balances the sugary candy and chocolate, creating a harmonious dessert pairing.

Candy Bar Shortbread Flavor Versions

• Gluten-Free Candy Shortbread Bars: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Candy Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use dairy-free chocolate chips and plant-based candy alternatives for a completely vegan version.
• Low-Sugar Candy Shortbread: Use sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar content, and choose sugar-free chocolate and low-sugar candy options for a healthier treat.
• Nut-Friendly Variation: Add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds on top of the chocolate layer for extra crunch and nutty flavor profile, creating additional texture and taste dimension.

Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet memories of childhood collide with Leftover Candy Shortbread Bars, creating a delightful dessert that repurposes holiday treats. Crumbly, buttery shortbread cradles chopped candies, offering a nostalgic twist that satisfies your inner sweet tooth.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Base Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, room temperature (2 sticks, 226 grams)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

Sweet Additions:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped candy bars and candy-coated chocolates

Seasoning:

• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and positioning a parchment paper liner in an 8×8-inch pan, ensuring edges slightly overlap for easy removal.
2. Utilize a stand mixer to blend butter, light brown sugar, and kosher salt until the mixture becomes airy and whipped, approximately 3-5 minutes.
3. Incorporate flour gradually into the creamed mixture, mixing until fully integrated. If the dough appears crumbly, use hands to press and warm the mixture, helping it bind together cohesively.
4. Distribute the dough uniformly across the prepared pan, creating an even layer and smooth surface.
5. Bake the shortbread until it achieves a rich golden-brown color, typically requiring 30-35 minutes.
6. Immediately after removing from the oven, scatter chocolate chips across the hot surface and return to oven for 1-2 minutes to encourage melting.
7. Extract the pan and use an offset spatula to spread the softened chocolate into a consistent layer across the shortbread base.
8. Gently distribute chopped candy bars and candy-coated chocolates over the melted chocolate, pressing them lightly to ensure they adhere.
9. Allow the bars to cool completely, permitting the chocolate to set firm – this can take 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight for optimal results.
10. Slice the cooled dessert into 16 uniform bars and serve. Store remaining pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Customize candy choices by mixing different chocolate bars or seasonal treats for unique flavor combinations.
• Ensure butter is room temperature for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that prevents crumbly texture.
• Chill bars completely before cutting to get clean, precise edges and prevent chocolate from smearing.
• Use parchment paper overhang as easy lifting handles when removing bars from baking pan for neat serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg