3 Ways to Use Leftover Halloween Candy

Did your little trick-or-treaters bring home too much candy? Or do you still have a ton of candy left over? I am finding myself in the same situation. If you are like me, you have absolutely no problem just eating it as is. But, I also thought of a couple other ways you can use the left over Halloween candy that is a little more creative.

1. Candy Bark

You could do this with just about any kind of candy. Even gummy worms, candy corn, Skittles…the options are endless. The candy that I had was all chocolate based, so it worked really well in bark form. I brought this into work yesterday, and it was gone before I knew it. It’s really addicting!

Ingredients:
2 large chocolate bars, either dark or milk chocolate, chopped
2 cups of candy, chopped

Directions: 
1. Line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
2. In a microwave safe bowl, place all chopped chocolate. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute or until almost melted.
3. Pour melted chocolate on prepared baking sheet, being careful not to spread to thin.
4. Sprinkle candy over chocolate while still melted.
5. Let harden in freezer or fridge for at least 15 minutes. Once hardened, break into pieces.

2. Cupcake Topping

These were so easy and turned out really cute. If I had a child, I would totally make these for a kids birthday and have them help. B actually helped me “decorate” these and we had so much fun. He likes to call these the Inception cupcakes. Chocolate on top of chocolate on top of more chocolate. I made the cupcakes with pumpkin puree…you know…to be healthier (anyone else see the irony since I covered them in candy?).

Ingredients:
1 box of chocolate cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
1 can chocolate icing
2 cups candy, chopped

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a cupcake tin with liners.
2. Mix the pumpkin puree with the chocolate cake mix until fully mixed. Spoon or pour into cupcake tin. Bake according to the directions on the box.
3. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Once cool, ice with frosting using a knife or off set spatula.
4. Once iced sprinkle chopped candy on top, or dip the iced end of the cupcake into the candy.
Alt 4. Mix candy into frosting before you frost the cupcake.

3. Cookie or Brownie Filling

Cookies and candy together are a dangerous combination for me. These are incredibly addicting and decadent. Just be careful if you use a candy with caramel in it that it could melt out. Caramel candies might work better in a brownie. Also, I would not use any fruit flavored candy in the cookies/brownies.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cups brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups candy, chopped

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined.
4. Add in chopped candy and mix.
5. Using a tablespoon or cookie scooper, spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet about 2″ apart. Flatten slightly.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool on a rack or paper towel.

These are just some ways I thought of to use leftover Halloween candy, but there are plenty more ideas out there. Like save it for Christmas when you make ginger bread houses!

Hope you enjoy!!