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Shaina Olmanson | Food for My Family

3 Ways to Get Rid of the Last Halloween Candy

The following post is from Shaina of Food for My Family and Olmanson Photography: 3 Ways to Get Rid of the Last Halloween Candy

source: Shaina Olmanson | Food for My Family

I’m sick of eating Halloween candy. Okay. Sick may not be the right word for it. However, we’re left with random odds and ends at this point in the game. My kids have picked out the things they really like, I’ve banned myself from digging in the bowl, and even my husband has eaten out all the Snickers Bars and Almond Joys, tasted a few of the others, and decided they aren’t worth his time.

Really, I just want to reclaim the counter space that it takes up in my house, seal up the Halloween tote, stop thinking about it, and move on to Thanksgiving.

Better than sending a bowl of rejects to my husband’s work to put out at the secretary’s desk, here are a few ways to get your Halloween candy used up that are great for gifts or enjoying yourself.

Make movie theater caramel corn.

If you’re down to a bunch of odds and ends that just aren’t as exciting as Kit Kats were on November 1st, I feel your pain. Raisinets, Hershey’s Bars, Milk Duds, and more often end up among the Smarties at the bottom of the bag. Gather them all together and make a batch of caramel corn to toss them into.

Stir it into brownies and surprise your neighbors.

source: Shaina Olmason l Food for My Family

You don’t have to share these loaded-down brownies, but your basic brownie recipe and the addition of chopped candy bars or candy pieces make for a fun treat that can be gifted to neighbors, cut into lunch-sized dessert pieces, or simply enjoyed in a new and different way. Use your favorite brownie recipe or buy a box mix.

Use them as hot chocolate mix-ins.

It’s that time of year. Just this weekend, after my kids spent four hours in the brisk, cool air helping my husband rake leaves, I made hot chocolate for the masses. The best part about this hot chocolate? It was customizable with a few select fun-sized candies. Not all candies are appropriate for mixing in, but here are a few that actually make hot chocolate taste better: Peanut Butter M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, Junior Mints, Milk Duds, Milky Way Bars, Tootsie Rolls (even vanilla and strawberry), Halloween Peeps, Heath Bars, Rolos).

 

Candy Caramel Corn
Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Shaina Olmanson | Food for My Family
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups candy pieces (Milk Duds, Raisinets, Reese’s Pieces, Peanut Butter Cups, etc.)
Instructions
  1. Pop the popcorn kernels in an air popper or over a stove top. Lightly grease a large stainless steel bowl and place the popped popcorn inside. Line two large baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan mix together sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Place a cover on the pan and allow to boil for two minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the mixture reaches 240º F (soft ball stage). Stir in the two tablespoons of butter until melted.
  3. Let the sugar continue to cook until it reaches 300º F, then immediately stir in the salt and baking soda. The mixture will foam. Pour over popped popcorn and stir with wooden or heat resistant spoons, folding popcorn over until covered.
  4. Spread the caramel corn over the baking sheets in a thin layer. Immediately sprinkle the candy over the caramel corn, pressing lightly to secure into the mix. Allow to cool completely. Break into chunks and serve.
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How do you get rid of the Halloween candy?

Shaina Olmanson is the freelance writer, photographer, and home cook behind Food for My Family. Cooking daily with and for her four kids and husband, Ole, drives her desire to inspire other families to do the same. Shaina is also the author of Desserts in Jars and regularly contributes to various online sites and traditional print magazines.