Candy Overload? 26 Creative Ideas for What to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy

Discover creative ideas on how you can transform your left over Halloween candy into sweet baked treats and even decor.

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If you're anything like me, you probably find yourself buried under a mountain of Halloween candy after the spooky season comes to a close.

Don't fret; I've got your back! As a mother of four with a notorious sweet tooth, I'm here to help you transform your candy overload into a delightful culinary adventure.

So let's dive right into the magical world of leftover Halloween candy!

26 Creative Ideas for What to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy

1 - Candy Cookies: A Classic Sweet Treat

When it comes to repurposing leftover Halloween candy, one of the first ideas that come to mind is candy cookies.

It's a classic for a reason! Just think about your favorite cookie recipe and then throw in some chopped-up candy for an extra layer of sweetness.

Personally, I love making chocolate chip cookies and adding crushed candy bars for an unexpected twist. The result? A chewy, gooey delight that's a hit with kids and adults alike.

2 - Candy-Studded Brownies: Fudge Lovers, Unite!

If you're a fudge lover like me, you'll appreciate this candy-inspired twist on brownies.

The gooey goodness of brownies pairs wonderfully with the chewy texture of candy bits.

Simply mix your favorite candy pieces into your brownie batter before baking, and you're in for a treat! I find that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers bars work exceptionally well in brownie recipes.

3 - Candy-Infused Cupcakes: A Burst of Sweetness

Cupcakes are adorable, delicious, and a canvas for your creativity.

Take your cupcake game to the next level by incorporating candy into the batter or frosting.

M&Ms and Skittles, for example, add a burst of color and flavor to every bite. Kids love it, and the inner child in adults does too!

4 - Candy Milkshakes: Shake Up Your Sweets

If you've got a craving for something cold and sweet, candy milkshakes are the way to go.

Throw your favorite candy into a blender with some ice cream and milk, and voilà! You've got a dessert in a glass.

For me, there's nothing quite like a Snickers milkshake to satisfy those sweet cravings.

5 - Candy-Infused Hot Cocoa: Warm Comfort in a Mug

When the weather turns chilly, a hot cocoa is the perfect pick-me-up.

But why not take it up a notch? Crush your leftover candy and stir it into your hot cocoa.

The heat will melt the candy, infusing your drink with rich, sugary flavor. It's like a hug in a mug on a cold day.

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6 - Candy Mocktails (or Cocktails): Adult Fun with a Twist

For the adults looking to enjoy a sweet indulgence, candy-inspired cocktails and mocktails can be a hit at parties.

Experiment with candy-flavored syrups, garnishes, and creative drink recipes.

It's not just for the kids; it's a fun way to enjoy your favorite candy in a grown-up setting.

Here's a couple of recipes that you can use as inspiration:

Gummy Bear Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine (750ml)

• 1/2 cup brandy

• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (e.g., Triple Sec)

• 1/4 cup simple syrup

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• Assorted gummy bears (for garnish)

• Sliced oranges, lemons, and limes (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and orange juice.

2. Stir well to mix the ingredients.

3. Add sliced oranges, lemons, and limes for added citrus flavor.

4. Chill the sangria in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnish with colorful gummy bears for a playful touch.

Bubblegum Pop Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Bubblegum-flavored Vodka

• 1 oz Raspberry Liqueur (Chambord)

• 1/2 oz cranberry juice

• 1/2 oz pineapple juice

• Bubblegum gumballs (for garnish)

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Add Bubblegum-flavored Vodka, Raspberry Liqueur, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice to the shaker.

3. Shake vigorously until well chilled.

4. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass.

5. Garnish with a gumball or two for a fun and colorful touch.

M&M's Chocolate Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Chocolate Liqueur

• 1 oz Vodka

• 1 oz Cream or Half-and-Half

• 1/2 oz Coffee Liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)

• M&M's for garnish

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Rim a chilled martini glass with crushed M&M's by dipping the rim in a shallow plate of the candy.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

3. Add the Chocolate Liqueur, Vodka, Cream (or Half-and-Half), and Coffee Liqueur to the shaker.

4. Shake vigorously until well chilled.

5. Strain the cocktail into the prepared martini glass.

6. Garnish with a few M&M's for a delightful chocolatey touch.

These candy-infused cocktails add a fun and flavorful twist to your mixology adventures. Enjoy responsibly and savor the sweet and colorful flavors!

7 - Candy Mosaics: Edible Art for All Ages

Did you know that you can use candy to create edible mosaics and artwork?

It's a fantastic project for kids and adults alike. The vibrant colors and different candy shapes make for stunning designs.

One year, our family crafted a candy rainbow with Skittles, and it was a showstopper!

8 - Gingerbread Houses: Candy Architecture

For those who enjoy seasonal crafts, gingerbread houses are a must.

Decorate your gingerbread masterpiece with an array of colorful candies.

From licorice roofs to gumdrop walkways, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it's a fun family activity.

9 - Edible Candy Jewelry: Fashionable and Tasty

Surprise your kids (or your inner child) by creating edible candy jewelry.

Thread colorful candy on licorice strings to make necklaces, bracelets, and even rings.

Not only is it a delightful treat, but it's also a fun DIY project that the little ones will adore.

10 - Candy Jar Decor: Sweet Home Accents

Don't underestimate the decorative power of candy!

Fill a glass jar with leftover candy and use it as a sweet and colorful home decoration. It adds a touch of whimsy to your living space and serves as a quick snack dispenser.

11 - Candy-Filled Piñatas: Party Fun for All Ages

For special occasions, why not make a candy-filled piñata? It's a fantastic party game that never gets old.

12 - Candy Science Experiments: Learning with a Sugar Rush

If you have young scientists at home, why not use leftover candy for fun and educational science experiments?

For example, you can use candy to teach kids about dissolving, color mixing, or density. Plus, it's a great way to balance the sugar rush with some learning.

13 - Candy Fundraiser: Sweetness for a Cause

Sometimes, it's essential to share the love and sweetness with others. Consider donating your excess candy to local charities, schools, or even sending care packages to deployed military personnel. It's a sweet gesture that can make a big difference in someone's day.

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14 - Candy Treasure Hunts: Make Family Memories

Create memorable moments with your family by setting up candy treasure hunts. Use candy as markers and hide them around your house or yard for a fun and engaging activity.

It's a fantastic way to keep the Halloween spirit alive throughout the year.

15 - Candy Ice Cubes: Cool and Sweet Drinks

Freeze small candies into ice cubes and add them to your favorite beverages for a unique twist.

Not only do they look enticing, but they also infuse your drinks with extra flavor as they slowly melt.

16 - Candy-Filled Advent Calendar: Sweet Countdown

Plan ahead for the holiday season by using your leftover Halloween candy to create a candy-filled advent calendar.

Count down the days to Christmas with a daily sweet treat that brings joy to kids and adults alike.

17 - Candy-Infused Pancake or waffle : Sweet Breakfast Masterpieces

Surprise your family with candy-infused pancake. Add small candy pieces like chocolate chips, M&Ms, or gummy bears to the pancake batter and create delightful designs.

Your kids will love the sweet surprise when they cut into their pancakes.

18 - Candy Kabobs: Colorful and Delicious Skewers

Thread assorted candies onto wooden skewers to create candy kabobs. These make for eye-catching and delicious centerpieces at parties or as party favors.

Plus, they're a fun and easy DIY project to involve kids.

19 - Candy-Scented Candles: DIY Aromatherapy

Melt down your favorite candies with unscented candle wax to create your own candy-scented candles.

It's a fantastic way to fill your home with the comforting aroma of your favorite sweets.

20 - Candied Rice Crispy Treats

If you love rice crispy treats, now imagine adding your favorite candy or chocolate to the mix and turning an already sweet treat into an even more sweet delicious bite.

Just make prepare the rice crispy treats as your usually would and add the candy to the mixture. Make sure to add it before the treat cools down so you can evenly distribute and mix the candy.

Make them even more fun by using a cookie cutter and making different shapes.

21 - Spruce up any ice cream.

One of my favorite places to eat ice cream is at Coldstone because you can pick any ice cream flavor and add your own toppings and they mix everything together.

And this is why this idea is one of my favorites ones to use left over candy from Halloween.

Just grab your favorite flavor ice cream, I usually opt for vanilla or chocolate, then crush the candy or chocolate and mix everything together or you can just use the candy as a topping.

This is such a fun way to spruce up any ice cream.

22 - Add a sweet taste to a gift basket.

If you like to create gift baskets for the holidays and to give it as a birthday present, add a sweet taste with the left over candy from Halloween.

You can add different ones or just the same candy for a more color coordinated basket.

Watch here how I created a Self Care Gift Basket and included one of my favorite candies.

23 - Sweet and tasty goodie bags.

Whether you are making goodie bags for adults or children, everybody loves a sweet treat so why not add some of that left over candy into those goodie bags?

It's not only a great way to get rid of the candy but also such a nice gesture and great way to make someone's day a little brighter.

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24 - Christmas tree ornaments.

How about creating an edible Christmas tree ornament that your guests can enjoy ?

Just tie a string around the candy of your choice and hang it right on your tree! You can even have a candy themed Christmas tree that is sure to make your holiday season even sweeter.

25 - Candied Popsicles

If you thought the ice cream was a good idea, you are going to love the candied popsicles option too.

There are many different ways to make your own popsicle but here's how I make mine:

Candied Popsicles Recipe:

1 cup of milk

1 cup of Whipping cream

3 tablespoons of condensed milk

Your Favorite candy

Blend the liquid in a blender then add your favorite candy and blend it up. The speed of your blender will depend on if you prefer a chunky or more blended mix.

Then add the mixture to a popsicle mold (this is the one I use), put it in a freezer for a few hours and then it is ready to be enjoyed.

You can also substitute the milk for coconut or any other type of milk you prefer.

26 - Sweet Stocking Stuffer

This one is a no brainer but I figured I would add it to the list just in case it was forgotten.

Stuffing a stocking with left over candy from Halloween is not only a way to add a sweet treat to the stocking but also a very budget friendly option too!

There you have it, 26 creative and delicious ideas to make the most of your leftover Halloween candy.

Candy overload is no longer a problem; it's an opportunity for culinary fun and creativity.

Remember, it's all about embracing the sweetness and enjoying every bite. If you've tried any of these ideas or have your own unique suggestions, please share them in the comments below.

Let's keep the candy conversation going! Thanks for joining me on this sweet adventure.