Name: Cookie Butter Bars Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 396 g (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk; 204 g (1 1/2 sleeves) graham crackers (crushed to crumbs); 125 g (1/2 package) Biscoff cookies (crushed to crumbs); 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter (cut into cubes); 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter (at room temperature); 180 g (1 1/2 cups) confectioners’ sugar; 56 g (2 oz) cream cheese (at room temperature); 31 g (4 cookies) Biscoff cookies (crushed to crumbs); 15 g (1 tbsp) cookie butter spread; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp kosher salt

Sweet dreams come true when cookie butter bars slide into your culinary adventure.

Creamy spread meets buttery texture in a delightful dessert that sparks pure joy.

Unexpected combinations often lead to magical moments in the kitchen.

Pantry staples transform into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

Smooth, spiced cookie butter creates a rich foundation for these irresistible bars.

Each bite promises a blend of comfort and excitement that makes you want to bake immediately.

Crumble, mix, and indulge in this simple yet spectacular treat waiting to become your new favorite.

Crush and Mix Magic: Transform simple ingredients like graham crackers and Biscoff cookies into a delectable dessert with minimal kitchen skills required.
No-Bake Bliss: Skip the oven and create a decadent treat that comes together without complicated baking techniques, perfect for novice and experienced bakers alike.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Packed with rich, sweet flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, these bars are ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations.
Customizable Creativity: Easily adjust the drizzle pattern or cookie chunks to make each batch uniquely yours, turning dessert preparation into a fun, personal experience.

Base Layer:

Graham Crackers, Biscoff Cookies: Classic cookies that create a crumbly and flavorful foundation for the bars.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the base layer.
Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and adds richness.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and helps create a cohesive base.

Buttercream Layer:

Unsalted Butter, Cream Cheese: Create a smooth and creamy texture for the buttercream.
Confectioners' Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the buttercream.
Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic aromatic flavor to the buttercream.
Crushed Biscoff Cookies: Add extra cookie crunch and flavor to the buttercream.

Topping:

Cookie Butter Spread: Delivers the signature cookie butter flavor and creates a beautiful drizzle on top of the bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Canvas

Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhangs for easy bar removal.

Step 2: Create Crumb Foundation

Pulverize graham crackers and Biscoff cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor.

Transfer crumbs to a mixing bowl and sprinkle in kosher salt.

Step 3: Combine Crumb Base

Unsalted butter
Sweetened condensed milk

Melt these ingredients together in a small saucepan over low heat.

Remove from heat once butter completely dissolves.

Step 4: Form Cookie Crumb Layer

Pour melted butter mixture over cookie crumbs.

Mix thoroughly until perfectly combined. Press evenly into prepared pan.

Refrigerate while preparing next layer.

Step 5: Whip Creamy Buttercream

Room temperature butter
Cream cheese

Beat these ingredients together until smooth and well-integrated, about 3-4 minutes.

Scrape bowl sides periodically to ensure even mixing.

Step 6: Enhance Buttercream

Confectioners' sugar
Vanilla extract

Add these ingredients to butter mixture.

Start mixing on low speed, then increase to medium-high. Beat for 3 minutes until buttercream becomes silky and luxurious.

Step 7: Incorporate Cookie Crunch

Fold crushed Biscoff cookies into buttercream. Mix for one minute until cookies distribute evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 8: Layer Buttercream

Spread buttercream uniformly over chilled cookie crumb base.

Step 9: Drizzle Cookie Butter Magic

Gently warm cookie butter spread until it reaches a drizzling consistency.

Transfer to a sandwich bag, snip a tiny corner, and create artistic drizzles across the buttercream layer.

Step 10: Chill and Set

Refrigerate bars for minimum 2 hours to allow complete setting.

Step 11: Slice and Serve

Remove bars from pan using parchment paper overhangs. Cut into desired serving sizes and enjoy your decadent creation.

Ensure graham crackers and Biscoff cookies are finely crushed for a smooth, even texture in the base layer.
Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese to create a silky, lump-free buttercream that spreads easily.
Warm cookie butter gently to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency, avoiding overheating that could compromise its texture.
Chill bars thoroughly for at least 2 hours to help layers set and enhance the flavor melding process.
Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and optimal taste.

Gluten-Free Deconstructed Bars: Replace graham crackers and Biscoff cookies with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour cookies or crushed gluten-free graham-style crackers. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Vegan Cookie Butter Dream: Swap butter and cream cheese with coconut oil and vegan cream cheese alternatives. Use dairy-free condensed milk made from coconut milk. Replace regular buttercream with cashew-based frosting.
Chocolate Lover's Version: Add cocoa powder to the base mixture and incorporate melted dark chocolate into the buttercream. Drizzle with chocolate ganache instead of cookie butter for a rich, decadent variation.

The rich espresso and velvety milk foam beautifully complement the sweet, spiced cookie butter layers, creating a delightful flavor harmony that balances the dessert's intense sweetness.
The warm, aromatic spices in chai perfectly echo the Biscoff cookie's caramelized notes, while the creamy milk base provides a smooth counterpoint to the dense, rich bars.
The cool, silky milkshake cuts through the buttercream's richness, with its salty-sweet profile amplifying the cookie butter's complex flavor profile and offering a refreshing contrast.

Refrigerate: Store cookie butter bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Room Temperature: Allow bars to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the buttercream and enhance flavor. Do not leave out for more than 2 hours.
Reheating: Gently warm individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let them sit at room temperature for a softer texture without additional heating.

FAQs

What ingredients make these bars so delicious?

The combination of Biscoff cookies, graham crackers, butter, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, and cookie butter creates a rich, indulgent treat with layers of sweet and creamy flavors.

Can I use a different type of cookie for the base?

Definitely! While Biscoff cookies are recommended, you can substitute with similar spiced cookies like speculoos or even traditional graham crackers for a slightly different flavor profile.

How do I know when the buttercream is ready?

The buttercream is ready when it becomes smooth, creamy, and holds its shape without looking grainy. This typically takes about 3-4 minutes of mixing at medium-high speed.

Is there a trick to drizzling cookie butter evenly?

Use a sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off as a makeshift piping bag.

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.

Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.