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Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter.
Have you heard of it? Cookies in spreadable form…!
Cookie Butter is basically the TJs version of Biscoff spread. After seeing it on the blog world quite a bit and loving the adorable little jar + packaging*, I knew I had to buy it myself.
*I’m a sucker for a cute outfit.
So what’s this cookie butter stuff like? It is pretty sweet and has the consistency of peanut butter, bakes the same as peanut butter, and is as addicting as peanut butter… peanut butter must be jealous. 
Cookie Butter tastes like the baby of a gingerbread cookie and a graham cracker. Pairs well with pretzel sticks, bananas, toast, apple slices, and spoons. And after several spoonfuls, I tried to collect myself and actually USE it in a recipe.
Let’s talk granola bars. I like granola bars. They are quick, easy, and make me feel like I’m being good. However, they are usually overpriced, loaded with preservatives and gunk I can’t pronounce, and leave me hungry. And with the amount of sugar and “fluff” some companies pump into their packaged granola bars, you wonder why they aren’t just marketed as candy bars instead…?! Candy bars with some oats thrown in. Who are you trying to fool? 
It’s taken me some time to find the perfect granola bar recipe. And I think finally I’ve got it. Chewy, soft, wholesome, and healthy. Not to mention, so easy – they take less than 30 minutes to whip up! That’s my kind of recipe. And they taste just like chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Snacktime just got a whole lot sweeter.
Homemade granola bars will always win my book.
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Makes 16 bars. Bars stay fresh at room temperature for up to 7 days. Bars freeze well, up to 2 months. Please ensure your oats are certified Gluten Free if following a GF diet.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Trader Joes Cookie Butter or Biscoff Spread* (or use a nut butter of your choice)
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup*
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 8x8 baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, melt the cookie butter and coconut oil for about 1 minute in the microwave. Stir until combined and smooth. Melt for longer if needed. In a large bowl, beat the melted cookie butter/oil mixture, honey (or maple syrup if you are using it instead), egg, and vanilla until completely combined. Add in the oats, brown sugar, and salt. Mix well. Slowly stir in chocolate chips. The batter will be sticky.
- Transfer to the prepared baking pan and press down, making sure the surface is flat and even. Bake 21-24 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
*If you can't find TJs Cookie Butter of Biscoff spread, try using almond butter. The bars may not have the same chocolate chip cookie taste though. I used sugar free maple syrup, but feel free to use honey or regular maple syrup. I've tried it with both and they taste exactly the same. Try using different add-ins, like nuts or dried fruits (up to 2/3 cup total). These granola bars are highly adaptable.
RECIPE SOURCE: SALLYSBAKINGADDICTION.COM
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum! Love cookie butter (and PB) and anything I can bake in a pan and make bars, I am all about it. Faster than cookie-making!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies – Milk Bar Mondays
I understand the whole “have to do something with it” thing! What awesome granola bars!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Almond Joy Pudding Cookies
It was getting to the point where if I didn’t bake something with it, I would have eaten the entire jar with a spoon in a matter of days. Haha!
That cookie butter is INSANE! I wish I had Trader Joe’s! Your granola bars look sooooo good! I bet the cookie butter makes them extra yummy.
Reeni recently posted..Chicken Souvlaki and Greek Salad
The cookie butter makes these granola bars taste like chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but I’m sure almond butter would be just as yummy if you can’t find cookie butter Reeni!
I am loving your blog and all of your recipes. Especially all of the amazing granola!
Jessica recently posted..Worn Out
Thanks Jessica!
haha! A jar of Biscoff has disappeared by way of a spoon here too! Then I had to buy a few more jars…you know, to actually bake with. My peanut butter is very jealous because I always grab the biscoff first now:-) I just started making my own granola bars instead of buying them, so I will have to try your recipe out. I am excited that they taste like cookies:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Trick or Treat Tuesday!
I’ve been ignoring my peanut butter a lot this week because of the cookie butter!
I just bought a jar of cookie butter so I will be making this soon, maybe even tonight!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Muffin Monday: Blueberry Orange Oatmeal Muffins
Yes you should! Granola bars are the perfect use for cookie butter.
Just found your blog via foodgawker. I have searched high and low for a simple, wholesome granola bar recipe and I think this just might fit the bill. Can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing.
That’s great to hear Abby! What’s great about this recipe is that you can mix/match different add ins and create all different kinds of healthy, low sugar bars.
Haha I’m IN LOVE with granola. I’ve been wondering about that Cookie Butter stuff too; thanks for clearing it up
The granola bars look so good!
I was cookie butter curious to, so I decided to buy it.. so glad I did!
My sister JUST bought cookie butter from TJ’s! I’m forwarding this recipe to her right now.
Katie recently posted..Homemade Ricotta Cheese
how perfect, Katie! I love TJs cookie butter
I hope she makes these!
If I want to make this vegetarian what will u recommend for egg replacement?
Veena, you may use nondairy chocolate chips and replace the egg with a “flax egg,” which is 1 tablespoon flax seed mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water, and letting that sit for 10 minutes to gel up. Use that to replace 1 egg in any recipe. See here.
i’ve eaten about half the jar of cookie butter plain. maybe i should try baking with it- sounds like a great recipe!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..OTT: Pork Chops with Balsamic Blackberry Salad + Orzo
What a great recipe! I love chocolate in granola.
kale recently posted..“a symphony of flavors”
So do I! Thanks Kale
I’ve never had that spread before but have heard great things. Next time I’m in a town with a Trader Joes I’ll have to snag some.
Erin recently posted..Chocolate Beer Truffles
Definitely pick up some cookie butter next time you are at a trader Joes! Seriously, best $3 I’ve ever spent!
This gives me an excuse to pretend I am eating healthy! I swear I start a diet every other day. These granola bars look delicious. And that cookie butter needs to get in my belly!
Sabrina recently posted..S’mores Bars, Two Ways.
Sabrina, the cookie butter is a MUST! one of my favorite new discoveries.
Sally, these granola bars look delicious! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday last week.
I can’t wait to see what you link up this week. Have a great day.
Michelle
Thanks Michelle! I <3 Creative Thursdays @ Michelle’s Tasty Creations.
When I saw this recipe, I had to go to my local TJ’s and see if they had the cookie butter. Well, they did, and I just made the second batch of these phenomenal bars! I added ~1/2 c. pecans this time. They were excellent without, but the pecans add another layer of complexity and texture. Bravo! This one’s a keeper!
Hi Sarah!! So happy to hear you liked them. I wanted to add nuts to mine but ended up just leaving them out. I’ll have to add pecans next time. I love cookie butter
Is there something I can substitute for coconut oil? I can’t stand coconut! But these granola bars look delicious!
Kelly, you can NOT taste the coconut in these bars at all. However, you could try using canola oil to replace the coconut oil. Hope you enjoy!
Ok, I have no choice, but to pin all of these. Delicious!
Thanks Carrian! You are so sweet. Have a nice weekend!
Making these today…….perfect take-along snack for the family this Sunday. Kids are running a mini race, me a 10k. Husband will be with baby cheering us all on
These sound so good!
You need to publish a cookbook
Sara recently posted..Delaney Turns 10!!
Hi Sara! I hope you did VERY well in the 10K yesterday and that the cookie granola bars turned out wonderfully. Thank you for the cookbook suggestion and support!! That is so nice to hear.
Sally, I can’t decide if you’re joking or not when you say these are low sugar, but in any case, they sure look tasty!! Granola bars full of cookie paste and chocolate. What’s not to love?!
D
Cheese with Noodles recently posted..Peach Pudding Cake
Yep! No joke here! The base is actually very low in refined sugar. Esp if you use peanut butter instead of cookie butter! Thanks!
You say ‘or use a nut butter of your choice’, could that include nutella? also, what do you think about adding crushed up peanut butter cups instead of chocolate chips?
Thanks! Trish
Definitely give nutella a try! I think it would work wonderfully in this recipe Trish! and peanut butter chips would be delicious as well. Love peanut butter & nutella together!
These are so fun! Love the addition of cookie butter!
Your granola bars look so good! I love that they are somewhat healthy but look like a treat. And with biscoff? Yes, please!!!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Bare Fruit Cinnamon Apple Chips Giveaway
I love cookie butter/biscoff! These are a healthier option for cookies indeed
I just got a jar of Biscoff and I would love to try this recipe out!! I don’t have any coconut oil though… What can I use instead?
Shaina recently posted..8 Nights of Hanukkah Baking, #1: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Hi Shaina! Coconut oil is pretty crucial to this recipe – but you may substitute vegetable oil or melted butter instead – the same amount of either.
Hm…if it’s crucial then I’ll make sure to get it before trying out the recipe. I should have it in my kitchen anyway!
Shaina recently posted..Eight Nights of Hanukkah Baking, Night #2: Triple Chocolate Oreo Cookies!
perfect! yes, it is a must-have ingredient in my pantry that is for sure!
Oh, Giiirrrrllll, what have you done?! Lol. Never heard of biscoff or cookie butter til now, but the recipe looked yummy, so at the store today I found some biscoff and bought it to try. I’m in trouble! (Or maybe you are for telling me about it?)
can’t wait to try these!
So, these bars are currently in the oven, and if the batter is an indicator, I may have a new favorite…. I added some diced walnuts since I like them in my cookies, used dark chocolate chips, mixed 1/2 honey and 1/2 maple syrup (fully leaded version), and omitted the brown sugar since it was already so sweet. I also added about 1/8 cup of ground flax seed to make me feel better since they were so sweet.
Melissa, your version sounds fantastic! I’ll have to try adding flax next time. I love that idea! I’m so glad you bought bisocff. I love cookie butter/biscoff! it’s dangerous to have around.
These were awesome! Loved them!
I’m glad to hear it Hope!
How long would this keep? especially in hot temperatures
Hey Hayley! The chocolate would definitely melt in hot temperatures. I’d say maybe 6-7 days with melted chocolate.
These were delicious! My hubby is allergic to nuts and he is now is love with cookie butter! I am freezing them and using them for lunches. Thank you! I look forward to trying more of your delicious recipes =)
I’m so glad you made and loved these, Kim! I have big plans to make them again soon with my new jar of cookie butter.
Thanks for reporting back!
Silly question: if I wanted to make this as granola (clusters) instead of bars, would I simply stir a few times while it bakes? Or would I need to make any changes to the ingredients or amounts? I’ve been very into granola lately and have made several of your other recipes (PB cup granola, mocha java latte granola, triple chocolate granola), and I’d love to try this too, but I like to crumble it into Greek yogurt so I’d like to try it in cluster form. Thanks for the great recipes!
Sarah,
Granola clusters sounds like a great idea! I loved this recipe in bar form, but I might have to try your idea too! I’m guessing you might have to reduce the amount of cookie butter, since that holds them together for the bars. Probably also should spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet instead of a baking dish and stir partway through. Can’t wait to hear how that works out!
You could also try marking the bars then crumbling one into your yogurt….
I will try this tomorrow (provided I can find biscoff or cookie butter in my deprived corner of Wisconsin; I’ve actually never looked before), and I’ll report back! Thanks for the suggestions.
Walmart in my area carries Biscoff spread, so I would guess many other grocers do too. It’s in the peanut butter isle..
Will try Walmart. I struck out at my regular grocery store. Will grab it this week from Walmart and make these next weekend (just pulled a batch of the PB cup granola out of the oven, which is just perfect.)
Hi Sarah & Melissa! There are two options to make this into granola:
Do not reduce the cookie butter amount. Simple leave out the egg which is the binder in this recipe. Spread onto a large cookie sheet. Bake time will vary, but I’d say about 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Also, I suggest using my peanut butter cup granola recipe and substituting cookie butter for peanut butter. Here’s the recipe: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/04/12/peanut-butter-cup-granola/
Making these again! I cut them up and freeze them for school snacks. Did you know there is a shortage of cookie butter at Trader Joe’s? The one near me never has it…an employee says they might get one case a day and it’s gone very quickly. Luckily the one near DH’s work is always stocked…and they have crunchy too! Thanks for your recipes =)
I had no idea there was a shortage, Kim! I’m posting a cookie butter recipe today actually.
glad you love the pb granola Sarah!
I found Biscoff at Target and did these as granola, using this recipe’s ingredients and proportions (minus the egg per your suggestion), and the baking instructions from the PB cup granola. It is delicious! I got a bit excited about my first Biscoff experience and used more than I was supposed to (just a bit), which I think caused it to need a bit longer in the oven. So it took about 30 minutes at 325, but is sooo good. Thank you for this recipe. Side note: had a spoonful of Biscoff before a 10k run this morning and discovered it makes a great pre-run fuel.
I am SO glad to hear that Sarah and thank you for coming back to report it. Biscoff as a pre-run uel, now I gotta try it! Usually it’s just peanut butter for me. And congrats on the 10K!
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