What should I do with Halloween candy?

[marla]

I've already eaten more Halloween candy than I should have and I'm sure that I will have more left than I need. Any suggestions on good ways to use and get rid of it so I don't eat it all myself?

[PRICEPLUS]

Take it to the office. People love to snack during the day.

[robex]

Freeze it and use it for additions to baked goods for Christmas.

[njAndrew]

I second the office suggestion. Any junk food let in the common area of my office is quickly eaten.

Andrew

[flash]

Depends on the type of candy. chocolate bars? taffy?

[flash]

Originally Posted by marla

I've already eaten more Halloween candy than I should have and I'm sure that I will have more left than I need. Any suggestions on good ways to use and get rid of it so I don't eat it all myself?

Well, it depends on what you have...

The easy options: if it doesn't LOOK like Halloween candy, save it for Christmas bowls; fill individual goodie bags/holiday ziplocs, etc for those holiday parties your kids will need to bring goodies for; toss a few into your gift baskets for a special touch; if it has shelf life, save it for Easter; divide it up as part of gift baskets (a bag of chocolates are always nice); etc. It's also tedious, but you can rewrap any candy in holiday foil wrapping paper.

If you like to bake:
if it's chocolate or bar, like Snickers or anything choppable, chop it up into chocolate chip size pieces and use like chocolate chips with your favorite cookie dough (oatmeal, chocolate chip, brownies, blondies).

Can also use the chopped stuff (and it can be frozen once chopped), as the chip layer in magic bars, or other layer bars, sprinkle on muffings, use as the filling in cinnamon rolls (or just sprinkle on top of Pillsbury's, etc.), in quick breads, cakes, etc. Top of ice cream. You get the idea. Adds a special touch to almost anything.

You can also melt chocolate type items down in a double boiler (or microwave, but I tend to burn it that way), add additional chocolate or whatever, and repour into fresh candy. If you add coconut or nuts to thicken it up, make balls. Let them cool, use as is or roll in cocoa, chopped nuts, coconut...

For taffy like items, you can also melt in a double boiler, you might need to add a bit of Karo or water, depending on what it is (if you do, bring it to at least a soft ball boil), then dump in flavoring like almond or peanut extract, nuts, whatever, and either pull like taffy or pour into a greased pan and cut when cool. A bit difficult to describe, but you get the idea.

(if you are doing the $5000 challenge, why not sell what you make and take the profit)

Oh, also, almost anything can be chopped up and added to Rice Krispie bars, popcorn balls, melted and drizzled over popcorn, etc.

If all else fails, take it to a woman's shelter. There are usually children who would love the treat.

I'm sure there are many more ideas, but these are off the top of my head.

[PrincessPerky]

Since I have ZERO willpower I send it to work with DH. Getting it out of the house is the only way I will ever see jeans in my real size again! (got a two week old here)

[Luv2shop]

I also bring it to work.

[CHigh95]

If you have any friends or family graduating next year you can make a candy lei.

I have 2 school age children and they bring home tons of candy. It never sees the light of day again until June.

[abowers]

I have a similar problem with CHRISTMAS candy.

I got a bag of Lindor Truffles from work, a bag of Lindor truffles from my parents, chocolate covered peanut brittle from my sister, 5 boxes of chocolate from preschool parents, a box of chocolate cookie/candy type things from preschool parents, chocolate from the preschool coordinator, chocolate and nuts from my aunt. jelly beans from my boyfriends parents.

TOO MUCH! It's hiding in our cabinet right now.
Can't bring it to my work, because everyone got too much candy.

[flash]

Originally Posted by abowers

I have a similar problem with CHRISTMAS candy.

I got a bag of Lindor Truffles from work, a bag of Lindor truffles from my parents, chocolate covered peanut brittle from my sister, 5 boxes of chocolate from preschool parents, a box of chocolate cookie/candy type things from preschool parents, chocolate from the preschool coordinator, chocolate and nuts from my aunt. jelly beans from my boyfriends parents.

TOO MUCH! It's hiding in our cabinet right now.
Can't bring it to my work, because everyone got too much candy.

Well, I've posted a LONG response on the Halloween candy.

Christmas - chocolate -- chop up and freeze, use as strusel or filling in muffins, bundt cakes, top cakes for school events, make cookies, etc. It will "bloom" in the freezer, but it doesn't matter if you bake with it, any way you would use chocolate chips. Truffles make make nice surprises in cupcakes and muffins, just push them into the middle. Kids will love them. Valentines day is coming, everyone will be back to eating treats!

Jelly beans, freeze them, then process them to chop into small bits than can again be used as decoration or additions. Peanut brittle is more difficult, sharp edges.

Seriously, freeze everything. Much less likely to munch on chocolate if it's frozen, and if it's chopped up, it's ready to go.

[Optsol]

Flash, et al... those are such good ideas. I'm wearing the extra halloween candy around my midesction....

[PRICEPLUS]

Opstol,

That sir was a good one!