Halloween Candy: Tricks, Treats, and To-Do’s!

I’m happy to welcome back guest blogger Jennifer Savino, from the local food show and blog Bite Me.  Jenn’s here with some Halloween Candy Tricks, treats, and to-do’s.
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Boo! Don’t be scared, this is all about treats and maybe a couple of tricks.  So Halloween is upon us which means lots and lots of candy!  It also means lots of leftover candy too.

If you need some ideas on what to what do with all that candy (send it to me of course) I’m here to help.  One fun thing would be to make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe but replace the chocolate chips with candy cut up into small pieces.  A Kit Kat chocolate chip cookie would be amazing!  Or try the pretzel M&M’s for a salty sweet version.

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups candy chopped in to small pieces (you could also use 2 different types of candies too!)

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in candy or chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets (could also use an ice cream scoop.)

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely

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Check out the candy company websites for ideas as well. MilkyWarBar.com lists a recipe for Milky Way Brownie Gems, cupcakes and Turtles. Also, www.brightideas.com has recipes that use M&M’s, Twix, Dove, Skittles and several other candy brands.

Another option would be to make S’mores using any leftover chocolate candies.  I’ve experimented with a Reese’s melted between 2 grahams and a toasted marshmallow.  Let me tell you, it’s phenomenal!

If you don’t plan to bake with it, freezing chocolate can prolong its shelf life and deter post-Halloween overindulgence. Then a piece or two can be dropped into lunch bags as a special treat.

Colorful hard and gummy candies can be used to make candy necklaces, which could be a fun party activity or use the gumdrops on a holiday gingerbread house.

Where to  Buy A Special Halloween Sweet Treat

If you’re bored by traditional Halloween candy but still want a spooky sweet treat, check out some local businesses offering up Halloween specials:

• Bake For You has wonderful candy corn cupcakes and cookies that will brighten up any Halloween.
• Bettie’s Cakes offers a pumpkin cupcake that is not only delicious, but decorative too!
• 3 Chicks and a P has perfected a pumpkin hummus recipe that would go so well with fresh apple slices or sprinkle some candied walnuts on top for a little extra indulgence.
• Sticky Fingers Gourmet Apples offers an Apple Pie Apple which consists of a fresh Crispin apple smothered in caramel, rich vanilla chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon and a ton of secret Fall spices.

There are plenty of ways to fill any Halloween sugar craving this year and I hope you can use some of these tricks and treats to make it sweet.

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My name is Jennifer Savino and I am passionate about food and small business, which has led me to start “Bite Me.”  Bite Me is a show/blog about food and beverage start-ups in the Capital District.  The show and food blog came about after I closed my gourmet cookie company and it’s all about helping other people bitten by the entrepreneurial bug get expose while showing us their delightful treats.  Get Bitten! www.BiteMeShow.com