Candy corn-stuffed cookies are the perfect Halloween treat: Get the recipe

Whether you like the trick of these cookies, or you enjoy having something sweet for a treat, these candy corn stuffed cookies are the ultimate Halloween recipe.

The treat is pretty self-explanatory, but what’s the trick all about? Well, when you put out a plate of these cookies, no one will be able to guess what’s waiting for them inside. Why inside? First, because it’s different and it adds a layer of mystery. But also, from a technical standpoint, inside is best if you don’t want a mess.

For this candy corn stuffed cookie recipe, you’ll need:

• Salted butter, softened

• Brown sugar

• Granulated sugar

• Eggs

• Vanilla

• Baking soda

• Cornstarch

• Cream of tartar

• Flour

• Three 11-ounce bags of candy corn

First, a few notes on the ingredients. I know most culinary schools and baking shows will tell you to only use unsalted butter. But, my friend, they are wrong. Salt enhances flavor, so I actually use salted butter in all my baking. But for this recipe, in particular, I felt the need to share this trick. Candy corn is probably 99 percent sugar, so since I didn’t want to risk an overly sweet dough, I’m encouraging you to try salted butter. Now, as for the sugar, this isn’t your normal all-white sugar kind of sugar cookie. Again, because candy corn is already so sweet, I wanted to add more depth to the dough by adding brown sugar as well.

Starting with the paddle attachment on your stand mixer, cream the first five ingredients. And no need to worry, a hand mixer or whisk will still work, too. Once you get to adding the flour, I’d switch to a wooden spoon.

After creaming the first five ingredients, add the next five ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Cover and chill dough for at least 6-24 hours, allowing the flavors time to marry.

When you’re ready to bake, line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Then scoop dough, roughly the size of a heaping tablespoon, and flatten. Top one half of the dough with candy corn pieces — roughly about 6-7 pieces. Next, top with another flattened piece of dough and seal the edges. You don’t want any exposed candy corn hitting the baking sheet directly or it will make a mess of your cookies — the melting and burning kind of mess. The parchment lining helps to keep any candy corn that may have peaked through underneath from sticking to the pan.

Bake for 9 minutes and then let cool on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish.

CANDY CORN STUFFED COOKIES

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups salted butter, softened

• 1-1/2 cups brown sugar

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 eggs

• 3 tablespoons vanilla

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon pink Himalayan salt

• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 6 cups flour

• Three 11-ounce bags candy corn

Instructions

1. Cream the first five ingredients together until light and fluffy, no more than 5 minutes.

2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

3. Add next five ingredients, incorporating on low until just mixed.

4. Cover and chill dough for 6-24 hours.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

7. Scoop dough in heaping tablespoons, placing onto clean counter or parchment paper.

8. Flatten dough, adding roughly 6-7 pieces of candy corn on top.

9. Top with a second, flattened dough and seal together, making sure no parts of the candy corn are exposed.

10. Place on lined baking sheet, 2 inches apart.

11. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 minutes.

12. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Looking for other Fall treats? We taste-tested all the pumpkin spice offerings from Sprouts — here’s what you should buy.

This article originally appeared on Grateful: Candy corn-stuffed cookies recipe: These make a great Halloween treat