Sweet Solutions for Your Halloween Haul: Delicious Candy Bar Muffins and Creative Ways to Use Leftover Candy

The exhilarating chaos of Halloween has passed, leaving behind a trail of spooky memories and, for many families, an overwhelming abundance of candy. Before you’re tempted to raid the kids’ secret stashes hidden under beds or tucked away in pillowcases, consider a more inventive approach. This isn’t just about managing the sugar overload; it’s about transforming that mountain of treats into something new, exciting, and perhaps even a little more balanced. We’re talking about repurposing those beloved chocolate bars and candies into delectable Candy Bar Muffins, turning temptation into a delightfully indulgent, yet controlled, treat. (Jump straight to the recipe!)

The Post-Halloween Candy Conundrum: Too Much of a Good Thing?

The goblins have gobbled, the pirates have looted, and the ghosts have slithered away, leaving you with that lingering question: what to do with all that candy? You’ve already done your due diligence, rifling through the haul to claim your rightful share (after all, someone had to be chief costume designer and Halloween organizer!). But how do you prevent the remaining treats from becoming your family’s main food group for the next few weeks? The answer lies in creative strategizing, transforming individual candies into versatile ingredients or offering them up for a good cause.

Beyond the Candy Bowl: Smart Ways to Handle Your Halloween Haul

Instead of letting candy bars languish or tempt, commandeer those treat bags and implement a few clever tricks:

1. Transform Crispy Candies into Versatile Toppings

Unwrap crispy types of chocolate or candy bars like Skor, Crunchie, Crispie Crunch, M&M’s, or Twix. Place them in a sturdy zip-top plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into uniform crumbles. These delightful little bits can be stored in the freezer for future use. Sprinkle them generously over parfaits, yogurt, or pancakes for an added crunch and burst of sweetness. Fold them into whipped cream for an instant dessert topping, or use them as a crunchy element in rice pudding. For a truly divine breakfast, combine them with chopped nuts and sprinkle over your morning oatmeal. These crumbles are perfect wherever you desire a touch of sweet, textural contrast.

2. Dice Chewier Candies for Baking Bliss

For chewier chocolate bars such as Mars, Oh Henry, Snickers, Wunderbar, or Caramilk, dice them into small, manageable pieces. Mix the diced candy with a light dusting of cornstarch to prevent them from sticking together (and to deter anyone from sneaking frozen bits!). Store these in the freezer. They make excellent replacements for chocolate chips in cookies, adding a unique caramel or nougat dimension. Fold them into muffin batter, loaf cakes, or even cheesecake batter for pockets of gooey goodness. They also work wonderfully mixed into pancake batters, warm puddings, homemade granola, or trail mix. If you love banana loaf, try adding these – they melt into incredibly delicious, chewy pockets!

3. Melt Chocolate Bars for Decadent Hot Chocolate

Take any ‘meltable’ chocolate bars – classic milk chocolate, Mars, or Caramilk are excellent choices – and dice them. Stir these pieces into a saucepan of simmering milk. Whisk continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and velvety. This creates the ultimate, decadent caramel-infused hot chocolate, perfect for a cozy evening treat. You can elevate it further with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of those crispy candy crumbles.

4. Donate Excess Wrapped Treats

For items that haven’t been opened, consider the power of giving back. Many food banks, shelters, and group homes appreciate donations of wrapped, non-perishable treats. Check with your local organizations to see if they accept Halloween candy. This is a wonderful way to spread joy beyond your immediate family and support those in need.

5. Share with Growing Appetites

If you know a family with skinny teenagers, they might be thrilled to take some of the excess candy off your hands. Teenagers often have bottomless pits for stomachs and can burn through calories quickly, making them ideal candidates for helping you clear out the Halloween stash.

6. Feed Them to Your Feathered Friends (with caution!)

Don’t laugh! While it sounds unconventional, chickens actually love small bits of chocolate and candy. I’ve done it in the past, and my chickens absolutely adored me for it! Just be mindful of quantities and avoid giving them excessive amounts, as with any treat. It’s a quirky, but effective, way to get rid of a few pieces.

7. Bake Up a Batch of Delicious Muffins

Perhaps the most satisfying solution is to embark on a baking adventure. Play with new flours and create these incredible Candy Bar Muffins. The diced chocolate bars transform into sweet, melty bursts of flavor within the muffin and bake into crunchy, crackly bits on top. It’s a delightful way to extend the Halloween fun and create a truly memorable treat. Yum!

* * * * *

Crafting the Perfect Candy Bar Muffins: A Balanced Indulgence

Kitchen Frau Notes: Our recipe embraces the concept of ‘balanced indulgence’ by incorporating alternative flours that are packed with fiber and essential nutrients. These flours, such as brown rice flour, sorghum flour, and ground golden flaxseeds, are readily available in health food stores or the natural foods section of most supermarkets. By combining these good-for-you ingredients with the candy bars, we minimize the overall “junk-food” impact, making it easier to enjoy a sweet treat without guilt. It’s all about finding that perfect balance where you can indulge every now and then.

If you have difficulty finding ground golden flax seeds, regular flax seeds will work equally well. Their flavor might be a touch more assertive, but they will still provide the same nutritional benefits and binding properties. For those new to alternative flours, remember that they can offer unique textures and flavors, often contributing to a more wholesome and satisfying bake.

***If you prefer to make these muffins with traditional wheat flour, simply replace the combination of flours, starch, and flaxseeds listed in the ingredients with 1½ cups of all-purpose white flour, or use a blend of half white and half whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier twist. The method remains the same, ensuring delicious muffins regardless of your flour preference.

Recipe: Candy Bar Muffins (or Raid-the-Halloween-Loot-Bag Muffins)

(Can be gluten-free if using certified gluten-free candy bars)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (75gms) brown rice flour
• ½ cup (65gms) sorghum flour
• ¼ cup (35gms) tapioca starch
• ¼ cup (30gms) ground golden flaxseeds
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60ml) neutral oil (e.g., canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil)
• ¼ cup (60ml) liquid honey
• 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 fun-sized candy bars* (choose gluten-free if necessary). Alternatively, use a heaping half cup of chopped larger candy bars, or regular chocolate chips for a simpler version.

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, ground golden flaxseeds, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the large egg until slightly frothy. Then, whisk in the oil, honey, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract. Tip: If you measure the oil first, then the honey, the honey will effortlessly slide out of the measuring cup without sticking – it’s like magic!
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the whisked dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just evenly moistened. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
5. Chop and Fold in Candy: Dice or coarsely chop 6 of the fun-sized candy bars (or approximately ¾ of your chosen candy). Gently fold these chopped candy pieces into the muffin batter.

6. Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly divide the prepared batter among the 12 lined muffin cups.
7. Add Topping: Finely dice or chop the remaining 2 candy bars (or the remaining ¼ of your chosen candy). Sprinkle these smaller bits evenly over the tops of the muffins in the tin. This creates a delicious, slightly crispy topping as they bake.

8. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and spring back lightly when touched. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out clean (though melted candy might make it look a bit gooey, that’s okay!).
9. Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the muffins from the oven. Let them cool slightly in the muffin tin before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s crucial to allow them to cool a bit before devouring, as the melted candy bars inside can be incredibly hot.

This recipe yields 12 delicious muffins, perfect for sharing (or not!).

*Important Gluten-Free Considerations:

While many popular candy bars are naturally made without wheat ingredients, it is absolutely essential to always double-check the ingredient labels. Manufacturers frequently change their recipes or processing methods without warning. Some commonly cited examples of candy bars often made without wheat include Crunchie, Caramilk, Snickers, Oh Henry, and M&M’s. However, this is not a guarantee. Additionally, candy bars produced for sale in other countries may contain different ingredients than their counterparts sold locally. For individuals with Celiac disease or severe wheat allergies, even a “wheat-free” candy bar may pose a risk due to cross-contamination in facilities that also manufacture products containing wheat. In such cases, it is safest to stick to known, certified gluten-free candy bars or use gluten-free chocolate chips from a trusted brand to ensure safety.

Guten Appetit!

Enjoy these delightful Candy Bar Muffins, a truly satisfying way to make the most of your Halloween bounty. We hope this guide inspires you to get creative with your leftover candy!

If you enjoy our recipes and culinary tips, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. Your support makes our day!

You might also like these other delicious muffin and treat recipes:

Strawberry, Almond Flour and White Chocolate Muffins

Hummingbird Muffins

Healthy Halloween Fudge (a.k.a. pumpkin poop!)

Pumpkin Freezer Fudge