Eva’s Eats: What do do with your post-Halloween treats

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Whether you donned a costume and went out trick-or-treating Wednesday night, pillaged every candy bowl left out on every desk all over town, or simply used the holiday as an excuse to go wild in the Walmart candy section, odds are you have quite a bit of candy leftover. If your sense of shame is starting to kick in as you stare at your horde of delicious treats, here are a few tips to get that candy out of view so you can make way for the avalanche of goodies that will inundate us over the holiday lineup.

 

  1. The first option is to share it. Pass it out around the dorm, or fill a bowl to keep in your room, encouraging all who enter to take some.
  2. If you want to make it last, but aren’t confident enough to ration it, store it somewhere that is difficult to get to; think in your closet, or a storage bin under your bed. Chocolate can also be refrigerated or frozen; this keeps it fresh longer and helps to preserve its texture.
  3. If you just want to get it eaten and out of the way before New Years roles around, there are a couple of things you can do. First of all, Plan a movie night or hangout with some friends in the dorm, bring your candy along with you!

 

Next is the Frankenstein’s monster of candy; make an ultimate candy bar! Here’s what to do:

  • You will need a large bowl, parchment paper, a spatula, and a baking sheet.
  • Separate your chocolate, unwrap, and place into a microwave safe bowl. Anything but Twix will work as a base.
  • Get together any mini packs of M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces and put them to the side; as well as any Twix (break these into small pieces), pretzels, Oreos, and/or any other bite-sized, non-hard candy based goody.
  • Microwave your chocolate until melted and smooth. Microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth.
  • Once melted, add ½ of your M&Ms etc, and stir into the melted chocolate.
  • Place parchment paper on baking sheet.
  • Once mixed, spread in a thin layer (½ inch thick), on the baking sheet and sprinkle any remaining goodies over the top. Allow to cool and harden. DO NOT cut until completely cooled. Break into pieces and enjoy.

 

For your hard candy, you can do almost the same thing, but instead of a giant chocolate bar, you will end up with a goopy, sugary coating perfect for candied apples, an autumn delicacy.

  • You will need lollipop sticks, apples (Granny Smiths work best for candied apples), parchment or wax paper, and a microwave safe bowl.
  • Separate your candy by flavor and type. This is important as caramels and Jolly Ranchers have different melting points.
  • Wash and dry your apples. They must be dry before you coat them.
  • Securely insert the stick into the center of the apple.
  • Microwave the candy in 60 second intervals until smooth. Be careful when taking it out and dipping the apples. It will be VERY hot.
  • Dip the apples, swirling to coat them. Let them cool on the wax paper and when hardened, enjoy those delicious and sticky candy apples!

 

That’s it for Halloween. There are, of course, other things you can do with your Halloween candy. For example, there are several dental organizations you can send it into for prizes, but really, what’s the point in that?