Tips to Make Use of Your Leftover Halloween Candy

 
 
 

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Now that the Halloween festivities are over, you’ve undoubtedly got enough leftover bags of sweets to build your own candy kingdom. The kids have their hard-earned candy stash, but what to do with the rest of the chocolates and sour gummies you bought to pass out? (Or maybe the kids’ pillowcases are just a little too full). Here are a few suggestions to make good use of your extra confectionaries:

Donate them

Dr. Philipp J. Dentistry continues its yearly tradition, the “Annual Buy Candy Back Program” on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can receive $2 per pound (up to five pounds per child) for the candy you donate, which will then be shipped to American troops as part of Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that sends care packages to active military, first responders and veterans.

“I’m excited to be part of giving back to people who have given so much,” says Dr. Philipp. “My family has a history of military service, my staff have military family members, and we are proud to call many current and former servicemen and women our patients.” As the holidays approach, sending sweets and treats to our troops makes them feel more at home and appreciated for their service knowing children may have even given up some of their own candy.

Turn them into a delightful dessert

A personal favorite food blog, try your hand at baking some “Snickers Chocolate Cupcakes” over at Sally’s Baking Addiction. These decadent delights have all the peanut buttery, caramel goodness of a Snickers bar in the form of chocolate cupcakes with a simple chocolate mousse-type frosting and crumbled candy bar on top. The best part? It’s so simple to make.

Stephanie Sinoway, marketing assistant for Sally’s Baking Addiction, also suggests trying the “Candy Bar Blondies,” which incorporate essentially any mixture of chocolate candy bars you’d like. Prepare these gooey, buttery chewy morsels for your next get-together.

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Make holiday gifts

Gather all of your small candy pieces and make a cute holiday gift out of them for neighbors, friends or family. Place your chocolates in a large mug, and add a bright red, silver or gold ribbon, marshmallows and hot chocolate mix for a cozy Christmas or Hanukkah treat. Or simply save them for stocking stuffers. Of course, any candy will work, but morsels of the cacao variety just feel more festive.

In the end, you may decide to keep it all to yourself, and, hey, that’s OK too.