What to do with leftover Halloween candy: 10 creative ideas
When Halloween is over, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the candy haul. If your kids come home with enough sweets to stock a small candy store, you might be wondering what to do with all those fun-size bars, gummies and lollipops.
You could save it for another movie night, of course. But leftover Halloween candy can also become an ingredient for holiday crafts, a topping for baked goods or a donation to a good cause. Here are 10 ways to make the most of your stash.
1. Save it for gingerbread houses
You don’t have to buy a whole new collection of candy when it’s time to decorate gingerbread houses. Halloween leftovers can double as colorful decorations for your holiday creations.
Dots, Twizzlers, Nerds, M&M’s and Skittles are all fun options for adding bright colors, pathways, roof decorations and other details. Separate the candy by type and store it in airtight containers until you’re ready to build.
2. Donate candy to troops through Soldiers’ Angels
Want to share your Halloween haul with members of the military? Soldiers’ Angels runs its Treats for Troops program, which collects donated Halloween candy to distribute to service members and veterans.
Use the Treats for Troops Candy Map to find a participating collection site near you and drop off your donation.
Can’t find a collection site nearby? Soldiers’ Angels accepts small personal-sized donations of excess candy weighing 10 pounds or less at its headquarters in San Antonio. For larger donations, weighing more than 10 pounds, email [email protected] before shipping. The organization asks donors not to mail larger quantities without contacting the team first.
Small donations can be shipped to:
Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops
1355 Central Pkwy S #700
San Antonio, TX 78232
Check the organization’s website for the latest donation instructions before sending candy.
3. Treat delivery workers
Your Halloween candy stash can be a sweet surprise for the people who keep your household running, including delivery drivers.
Leave a small bowl of individually wrapped candy outside your front door with a friendly thank-you note. It’s a simple way to share the treats with delivery workers making stops in your neighborhood. Just remember to bring the bowl inside when you’re done.
4. Fill a birthday piñata
Put the candy aside for the next birthday party. Individually wrapped Halloween candy can help fill a piñata or goodie bags without requiring an extra trip to the store.
Mix different shapes and sizes to make the piñata more colorful, and check that the candy is still sealed and in good condition before using it. You can also combine the sweets with small party favors for a more varied surprise.
5. Save it for s’mores
Give classic s’mores a candy-bar makeover. Instead of plain chocolate, tuck a leftover sweet between graham crackers and toasted marshmallows.
Hershey’s chocolate bars are an obvious choice, but Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, York Peppermint Patties, Snickers and Milky Way bars can also add a fun twist. Try different combinations to find your favorite.
6. Use it for baking
Leftover candy can turn ordinary cookies, brownies and other desserts into something special. Chop up chocolate bars and mix them into cookie dough, sprinkle candy pieces over brownies or use colorful sweets to decorate cupcakes.
M&M’s and similar small candies work well in cookies, while chopped peanut butter cups or caramel-filled chocolate bars can make a decadent brownie topping.
Keep food allergies in mind if you’re baking for a group, and check ingredient labels before combining candies.
7. Save it for community parades and events
Keep a portion of your unopened, individually wrapped candy for upcoming community parades, neighborhood celebrations or other events where candy is traditionally handed out.
Before bringing it along, check the event’s rules. Some organizers have restrictions on handing out candy or other items, so it’s worth confirming that donations are welcome.
8. Put it back in the trick-or-treat bucket
If your kids come home with more candy than they need, why not share the extras while Halloween is still underway? As other children make their rounds, put some of your leftover, individually wrapped candy back in the trick-or-treat bowl for them to enjoy. It’s an easy way to spread the Halloween fun and make sure those extra sweets don’t go to waste.
9. Share it with local firefighters and police officers
Your local fire or police station may welcome a small candy donation as a thank-you to the people who serve your community. Call ahead to ask whether the station accepts treats before dropping anything off.
If donations are welcome, bring individually wrapped candy in its original packaging. It’s a small gesture that can help spread some Halloween cheer beyond your own household.
10. Send some to school for the teacher’s treasure box
Teachers often keep a stash of small rewards for classroom incentives, celebrations and special activities. Leftover Halloween candy may be a welcome addition to a teacher’s treasure box.
Ask your child’s teacher first to make sure candy is allowed and useful for the classroom. If the school has food allergy policies or restrictions on sweets, consider donating non-food items instead.
A few things to remember before reusing Halloween candy
Before putting your leftover candy to work, check that wrappers are intact and the candy has been stored properly. Toss anything that’s unwrapped, damaged or questionable, and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
If you’re donating candy or sharing it with a school, community group or public safety department, check its policies first. And if your candy stash includes treats that contain common allergens, keep ingredient labels available so recipients can make informed choices.
With a little creativity, your Halloween haul can last well beyond Oct. 31, whether it becomes part of a gingerbread house, a batch of cookies or a sweet surprise for someone else.
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