Simple Cookies with Milky Way Bars at Home

Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Obsession

The genius behind these cookies lies in their brilliant simplicity. By wrapping pieces of your favorite candy bars—whether it's Milky Way, Snickers, Reese's, or Three Musketeers—inside homemade cookie dough, you create an entirely new dessert experience that's bound to impress everyone who tries them.

When these cookies emerge from the oven, they look deceptively normal on the outside. But take that first warm bite, and you'll understand why they've become such a sensation. The contrast between the perfectly baked cookie exterior and the molten candy center creates a textural masterpiece that's impossible to resist.

What makes this recipe particularly brilliant is its incredible versatility. Got leftover Halloween candy collecting dust in your pantry? Perfect. Want to surprise guests with something unexpected? These cookies deliver every single time. The technique works with virtually any chocolate bar, making it endlessly adaptable to your taste preferences and whatever treats you have on hand.

The Science Behind Perfect Stuffed Cookies

Creating the ideal cookie texture requires understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final result, and this recipe has been carefully calibrated for maximum impact.

Candy bars serve as the star of the show, and choosing the right ones makes all the difference. Milky Way bars are particularly exceptional because they contain the perfect balance of chocolate, caramel, and nougat that melts beautifully during baking without completely liquefying. Snickers add delightful peanut crunch alongside their caramel goodness, while Three Musketeers provide pure, fluffy nougat indulgence.

The sugar combination creates cookie perfection through careful chemistry. Brown sugar contains molasses, which not only adds complex flavor but also attracts and retains moisture, ensuring your cookies stay soft and chewy for days. Meanwhile, granulated white sugar helps the cookies spread just enough to achieve those slightly crispy edges that provide textural contrast to the tender centers.

High-quality butter forms the foundation of flavor in any great cookie, and it's especially important here since it needs to complement rather than compete with the candy filling. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with the sugars, creating air pockets that contribute to the cookies' light, tender crumb structure.

Eggs and flour work together to create structural integrity while maintaining that coveted chewy texture. The proteins in eggs set during baking to provide just enough structure to hold the melted candy inside, while the flour's gluten development is carefully controlled to avoid toughness.

Flavor enhancers like vanilla and salt might seem minor, but they're absolutely crucial for balancing the sweetness and amplifying all the other flavors present. A generous teaspoon of vanilla extract adds warmth and depth, while a pinch of salt makes every other flavor pop more intensely.

Mastering the Stuffed Cookie Technique

The beauty of this recipe lies in how straightforward it is to execute, requiring just 10 minutes of active preparation time to create bakery-quality results at home.

Creating the Perfect Dough Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this takes about 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully combined.

The Assembly Magic Here's where the magic happens, and it's easier than you might think. Gradually mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined—don't overmix or your cookies will be tough. Take about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it in your palm into a disc about 3 inches wide. Place half of a fun-size candy bar in the center, then top with another flattened disc of dough. Gently pinch and seal the edges, making sure the candy is completely enclosed.

Achieving Baking Perfection Place the stuffed cookies on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one since they'll spread during baking. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked. This is crucial—the cookies will continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.

The Ultimate Serving Experience Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for exactly 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This brief cooling period allows the structure to set while keeping the candy centers perfectly gooey. Serve them while still warm for the ultimate experience—the contrast between the slightly firm exterior and flowing interior is absolutely divine.

Complete Recipe Card

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 13 minutes | Total Time: 38 minutes

Yield: 18 large cookies

Ingredients

• 18 fun-size Milky Way bars (or candy bars of choice), cut in half
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside
3. Cream butter and both sugars in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes
4. Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined
5. Gradually mix in flour mixture until just combined—don't overmix
6. Cut each candy bar in half crosswise
7. Take 2 tablespoons dough, flatten into disc, place candy half in center, top with another disc, and seal edges completely
8. Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart
9. Bake 11-13 minutes until edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked
10. Cool on pan 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack

Baker's Tips: Store in airtight container up to 1 week, or freeze dough balls up to 3 months for fresh cookies anytime.

Your Questions Answered

Can I use different candy bars like Snickers or Reese's cups? bsolutely! This technique works wonderfully with almost any chocolate bar. Snickers create amazing texture with their peanut crunch, Reese's cups add peanut butter richness, and even Kit-Kats work beautifully. Just make sure to cut larger bars into appropriately sized pieces that fit comfortably inside your dough portions.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for parties? These cookies are actually fantastic make-ahead treats! You can shape the stuffed cookies and freeze them on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags once solid. Bake directly from frozen, adding just 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time. They'll taste just as fresh as if you made them the same day.

How do I prevent the cookies from getting too hard as they cool? The key is not overbaking them initially. They should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven. Also, storing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread helps maintain moisture for several days.

What's the nutritional information for these cookies? Each cookie contains approximately 285 calories, making them a perfect special occasion treat to enjoy in moderation. The combination of butter, sugars, and candy creates an indulgent dessert that's meant to be savored rather than consumed daily.

Conclusion

These Milky Way stuffed cookies represent the perfect fusion of homemade comfort and candy shop excitement. With their simple preparation and spectacular results, they're guaranteed to become your go-to recipe for impressing family and friends with minimal effort.

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