It’s sad when such a neighborly holiday as Halloween comes to an end — until you realize you and your family have an eternity’s worth of candy to comfort you. Your kids will think that’s awesome, but you’re likely just thinking about how to get rid of all that unhealthy sugar without causing a riot. You can only donate and share so much. (And throwing it out feels wasteful.) So dealing with the remainder calls for some creative solutions!
Re-invent your Halloween candy leftovers in a way that moderates consumption, eliminates some waste, and makes a pretty presentation that you can share with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and loved ones. We know you might still be going to throw some away, but in an effort to turn the rest of those treats into something shareable, here are five fun and easy recipes to consider:
An early bird gingerbread house
Can a gingerbread house really ever be too early? Nope! Certainly not when there’s all this Halloween candy to spare. Use up your extra chocolate bars for roofing and any colorful gummies for a gingerbread garden. This one’s a double-win: you likely won’t eat the candies you re-purpose for the house, and you’ll conjure up some Christmas spirit at the same time.
Ever-so buttery Butterfinger cookies
If there’s one candy you know you’ll have a ton of after every Halloween, it’s those classic Butterfingers. This recipe bakes them into some warm, soft cookies to give to others on a chilly autumn day. They’re also the perfect complement to a cup of hot cocoa.
Creative candy corn pretzel Hugs
These bitty treats are so easy to make and perfect to bring to the office. Got extra pretzels? Check. Extra candy corn? Check. Extra Hershey’s Hugs? Check. Now just melt these little guys together for a post-Halloween party in your mouth.
Wickedly good snack mixes
Snack mixes are such a wonderful pick-me-up, whether you’re looking for a nibble in the after-school rush or want a few bites during your favorite family movie. These options will work great no matter what you’ve got lying around.
Cupcakes filled and topped with candy
Last but not least? Cupcakes! They’re the easiest to share: simply pack them up for a classroom or bring them to a friend’s party. This easy video recipe shows you how to make cups that have the candy on the inside and on the outside.
