Halloween often brings a delightful surge of candy, but as the days - and weeks- roll on, the leftover treats can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re looking for fun, creative ways to repurpose, reduce, or use up that extra Halloween candy stash, here are some helpful tips and tasty recipes that go beyond just handing out candy to everyone you see!
1. Create a "Candy Charcuterie" Board
Combine leftover Halloween candy with salty snacks, fruit, and nuts to create a fun candy charcuterie board. This mix of salty and sweet treats makes for a great movie-night snack or a unique party platter for the holiday season. For balance, consider pairing chocolates with pretzels, caramel with apple slices or dried fruits, and fruity candy with nuts.
2. Bake It Into New Treats
Halloween candy can be a great addition to cookies, brownies, or cakes. Chop up mini chocolate bars and mix them into cookie dough or brownie batter. Try adding crushed candy into cake frosting for an extra festive twist. Here’s a quick and easy recipe to try:
Candy Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups chopped leftover Halloween candy (Snickers, Reese’s, Kit-Kats, M&M’s)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
Fold in chopped candy pieces and spread the batter evenly in the baking pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Cool before cutting into bars.
3. Freeze for Future Treats
Halloween candy freezes exceptionally well, making it easy to save some treats for future recipes or snacks. Many candies, especially chocolate bars, can be safely stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to six months. These frozen treats can be a great addition to hot cocoa, coffee, or as toppings for winter holiday desserts.
4. Candy Trail Mix
Another way to use leftover candy is to make a candy-enhanced trail mix. Combine bite-sized candies with popcorn, pretzels, and nuts for a crunchy, sweet snack. This trail mix can be stored in airtight containers and makes a great lunchbox treat.
5. Candy Bark
Candy bark is easy to make and endlessly customizable. Melt chocolate, spread it on parchment paper, and top with chopped-up candies. Let it harden in the fridge, break it into pieces, and you have a delicious and gift-worthy treat!
6. Donate Extra Candy
Many organizations, schools, and offices welcome candy donations. Look for local groups that send treats to troops overseas, hospitals, or shelters, and bring a smile to someone else with your extra goodies.
With these ideas, you can make sure every piece of Halloween candy is put to good use, keeping the fun going long after Halloween is over!