Halloween is a holiday filled with candy and creativity. Even after a night of sugar rushes, there are always leftovers for the next day. Instead of throwing the leftover candy away, you can put it to use in a variety of ways.
There are many baked goods that can be made using the candy. Looking for some delicious and creative recipes to use? You’re in the right place.
Bake your leftovers: Halloween candy cookie bars
Making Halloween candy cookie bars is fun and easy. To make this recipe you are going to need the following:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups assorted candy of your choosing, chopped
- To prepare this recipe, begin with preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take the candy of your choosing and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix the sugars as well as the melted butter. Whisk the ingredients for approximately eight minutes.
- Once the ingredients are mixed thoroughly, add in the eggs, vanilla, salt and flour.
- After these ingredients are added in, mix everything thoroughly because then it is time to add in the candy.
- Pour the batter into a baking pan and bake the candy cookie bars for 45-50 minutes.
- Allow the candy cookie bars to cool down before cutting them into squares.
- Once the baked goods have been cooled and cut, they are now ready to be served.
Donate your leftovers
If you don’t feel like baking, some places take candy donations that will be given to different charities and organizations. Operation Gratitude, an organization aimed to help deployed Soldiers, veterans and first responders by sending care packages, does a yearly Halloween donation. Give a portion of your leftover Halloween candy to them, and it will be sent to someone fighting for our country. Due to COVID-19, first responders are in need of a smile more than ever and this may be the perfect way to do so. Follow this link to learn more.
Another organization aiming to help bring a smile year-round to our troops is Operation Stars and Stripes. From Oct. 15 – Nov. 15, the organization takes donations of excess Halloween candy that will be used in their “Operation Holiday Stockings Campaign.” Your candy donations will be shipped, along with Christmas gifts, to deployed soldiers. Other organizations that take candy donations for soldiers include Soldiers’ Angels, Operation Shoebox, Treats for Troops and Any Soldier. Do good and spread cheer during this time of year and donate to a soldier in need.
Other charities, such as The Ronald McDonald House Charities, also take Halloween candy donations this time of year. The donations will be given to families with sick children. Call your local Ronald McDonald House to see how and when they’re taking donations this year.
Lastly, check your local shelters, nursing homes and food pantries to see if they would like your donation. Any size donation is welcome, and you will be doing good for those in the South Florida community and beyond.
Whether you decide to make a delicious treat or donate some candy this year, we hope you had a great, socially distanced Halloween.
