Hi Everyone,
Today I have for you a Halloween treat that is sure to please peanut butter lovers everywhere. I have made a copycat of one of my all time favorite candy bars; the Butterfingers! Ohhhh, how I love that snappy little candy bar, that is covered in chocolate and filled with a peanut butter middle.
I was inspired to make these bars from the leftover candy corn that I had from my Pumpkin Snack Cakes. I figured I should use them up before I keep eating the candy corn. Funny as a blogger, you buy something for a prop and then you don’t use it, so I’m using my prop today and boy what a great idea. These little candies taste just like Butterfingers. They have a crunchy peanut buttery center that was dipped in dark chocolate. Now of course you could use milk chocolate just like the traditional candy bar.
To make the recipe it is so simple. Just melt your candy corn in the microwave, stir in peanut butter and place in a baking pan to chill. Once they are chilled, cut the bars into any size you want. I started out with stick shapes than went to square. I kind of like the look of the square better. I got 45 pieces of candy out of one batch, but again it depends on the size you cut the bars. I went with a traditional candy size.
There is one thing to know is that the bars can be tough to cut. I used a sharp knife than a pizza cutter to try to make it look more evenly. If you make these with the kids, be sure you do the cutting.
- 1 22oz bag (3 cups) candy corn (I used autumn mix)
- 1 heaping cup peanut butter, smooth
- 2 cups dark melting chocolate or milk chocolate
- Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper; set a side.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add candy corn. Cook for 1 minute, stir, cook for 30 seconds, stir, then cook in 15 second intervals until creamy. Add peanut butter, mix until combined. If the candy starts to get hard while mixing, place in the microwave for 10 seconds.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Smooth out with a back of a spoon. Place in the refrigerator for one hour to cool.
- Take candy out of the refrigerator, and place on a cutting board. This part gets tricky. Using a sharp knife cut into pieces. You can make any shape and size you like.
- Make a double boiler, by placing water in a medium pot, about a ⅓ of the way, place a large glass bowl over the pot and add chocolate. Stir the chocolate until melted. With two forks dip candy mixture into chocolate. Place the candy onto parchment paper and let it set.
- Store candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a crispy bar or leave on the counter for a chewy bar.
One thing to note; the candy is crunchy if stored in the refrigerator. It is chewy if left out on the counter.
So next time you have leftover candy corn, make a batch of Butterfingers. It’s so simple and taste amazing. I can’t get over how much it really does taste like a Butterfingers.
I’m off to the boss’s house for a Fall BBQ today. I hope you have a great weekend!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Christel says
Thanks for all your great ideas and inspiring posts! I love your good mood, which I need help with on many days! Have a great weekend and keep up the good work..
Christel
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I cannot get over the fact that you can use candy corn to make butterfingers!!! AMAZING!
Forrest Green says
One of my fan favorites. I use a low side dish and cut these prior to chilling. You can roll cut easily with a pizza cutter at this point, and then just break them apart (if necessary).
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I love that idea! Thank you for sharing. That will make it easier to cut.
Lela says
Another great one is to take the candy corn and melt as you describe, mix a jar of roasted peanuts into it, (the ones without the skins) roll into logs, and you have Payday candy bars. Also, if you just put the candy corn and peanuts mixed together in a dish like for mints and peanuts, eating a handful together tastes just like a Payday too.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I love that idea! I think I an going to try that! Thank you!!
JoshB says
It’s imperative you add caramel bits to make it the real deal!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
OMG!!!! I love that idea! I’ll try that next time. Thank you!
Sally Plake says
I have never heard of caramel bits where do you get them I can get a big chunk of caramel to make into candies at my candy and bake store but never heard of caramel bits
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Hi, Caramel Bits are made by KRAFT http://www.kraftrecipes.com/products/kraft-caramel-bits-11oz-bag-952.aspx You can buy them at Target, Walmart, any some grocery stores. They are the same thing as caramel, so you could use that too. 🙂
Shayne schwesinger says
Will try it will be good to make
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Hope you like them. 🙂
Cheryl Gibbons says
I tried theseast hear and the were a big hit. The only difference was I made balls
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Hi Cheryl, I am so happy they turned out for you. Love the idea of making them into balls.
Christina says
I made up a batch and everything was turning out like it should but then I took them out of fridge to cut up….they are to hard to cut. Any ideas on what I did wrong? I’m willing to try again
Sharain Faleide says
Omg, those look Yummers. I don’t know a soul that don’t like Butterfingers. I’m gonna try making these. Thank you so very much for sharing.
Ann Sparkman says
Can I use chunky Peanut Butter instead of smooth? I’m guessing you would use a little more than 1cup of the chunky. Thanks!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
It should be fine, just a little chunky. 🙂
ashley says
i love these candy’s
Erika says
I made these, and I don’t know if I didn’t stir the peanut butter into the melted candy corn well enough, but these turned out SUPER chewy (like almost teeth-breakingly chewy). I chilled them for almost 2 hours in the fridge (not sure it that was too long) and when I tried cutting them, they shattered and were pretty much impossible to cut cleanly.
The flavor was totally there, but the consistency was disappointing since they were way to chewy and there was none of the flaky/crunchy texture that you get in Butterfingers. Sad these didn’t work out for me, but great idea flavor-wise!
Hmathews says
My family often makes these with our other holiday candy. You must be careful to not overheat the candy corn when melting, or they will end up hard as a rock. 😩
Sandy says
cut them while still warm and refrigerate overnight. i was shocked how the texture was exactly like a butterfinger.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I am glad they turned out.
Kris says
Little tip – you should cut the candycorn/peanut butter mix while it’s still warm. Much easier. Also – you do not need to cool in the fridge for an hour. That’s unnecessary.
Amy says
These do not taste like butterfingers!
Barbara Dellinger says
The first time I made these they turned out amazing. The second time they weren’t flaky…chewier..not quite as good.
Leslie says
I’ve experimented with homemade Butterfingers recipes before but this one is pure genius!! Is this how the real Butterfingers are made?? Same color & texture, too. Tips – next time I’ll add a little salt and I cut up the squares before they were hard, and placed on wax paper to cool in the fridge – very easy. Since it’s Halloween season, I’m stocking up on candy corn so I can make my favorite candy year round.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you so much.