Your Grandkids Will Love These 8 Fun And Easy Treats That Call For Leftover Halloween Candy

Is it just me, or do our grandkids get more candy in one Halloween than we did spanning our entire childhood? I’ve never seen anything like it: Trick or treating, trunk or treating, school parties, church parties, and individual Halloween parties. More power to our grandkids, but that is A LOT of candy!

Why not use some of these free sweets to enhance your time together? 

It’s easy to do, thanks to these 8 fun and easy recipes that call for leftover Halloween candy: 

1. Candy bar brownies

Ingredients:

• Your favorite brownie mix (and the ingredients it calls for, often oil, water, and eggs)
• 1-2 cups of assorted chopped candy bars (e.g., Snickers, Twix, Milky Way)

Steps:

1. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions.
2. Before pouring the batter into the pan, fold in the chopped candy bars.
3. Bake according to package instructions.
4. Allow to cool, then cut into squares and serve.

2. Candy corn popcorn balls

Ingredients:

• 10 cups of popped popcorn
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 bag mini marshmallows (10 oz)
• 1 cup candy corn
• Optional: 1/2 cup peanuts or mixed nuts

Steps:

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the popped popcorn, ensuring it’s well-coated.
4. Fold in the candy corn (and nuts if you’re adding them).
5. With greased hands, shape the mixture into balls.
6. Let cool on wax paper.

3. Peanut butter candy dip

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups or other peanut butter candies
• Apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers for serving

Steps:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk. Beat until smooth.
2. Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups.
3. Serve with apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers.

4. Candy cookie bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1-2 cups assorted chopped candy (M&Ms, Kit Kat, Crunch bars)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the butter mixture.
4. Fold in the chopped candy.
5. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Cool, then cut into squares.

5. Candy milkshake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup assorted candies (e.g., M&Ms, Reese’s, Butterfingers)
• Whipped cream for topping (optional)

Steps:

1. In a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, and candies.
2. Blend until smooth, adding more milk if needed.
3. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream if desired.

6. Candy chocolate bark

Ingredients:

• 16 oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 1-2 cups assorted candies (Skittles, M&Ms, crushed Oreo, chopped candy bars)

Steps:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth.
3. Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper, spreading it out into an even layer.
4. Sprinkle the assorted candies on top, pressing lightly to ensure they stick.
5. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until set.
6. Break into pieces and enjoy.

7. Stuffed candy apples

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples
• Assorted candy (chopped Milky Way, Twix, caramel candies)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Optional toppings: chopped nuts, melted chocolate drizzle

Steps:

1. Core the apples, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through, creating a well in each apple.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the candy, stirring until you have a smooth, gooey mixture.
3. Fill each apple with the melted candy mixture.
4. Bake the apples at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until tender.
5. Drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle with nuts if desired, and let cool slightly before serving.

8. Candy-filled pancakes

Ingredients:

• Your favorite pancake mix (and the required ingredients)
• 1 cup of chopped soft candy (like Milky Way, Three Musketeers, or chocolate-covered caramels)
• Maple syrup or whipped cream for serving

Steps:

1. Prepare the pancake batter according to the package instructions.
2. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease.
3. Pour a small amount of batter onto the skillet. Quickly sprinkle a generous amount of the chopped candy over the batter.
4. Pour a bit more batter over the candy, ensuring it’s covered.
5. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side until golden.
6. Serve with maple syrup or whipped cream.

Conclusion

I hope these recipes bring even more sweetness to your post-Halloween celebrations. Enjoy (but in moderation, of course :P)!