50+ Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes - Decadent Dessert Ideas! (2024)

FAQs

Can I keep leftover Halloween candy for next year? ›

Soft candies like caramel and jelly beans last six to nine months if the package has been opened and left at room temperature. If unopened, they can last up to one year. Candy corn can last three to six months if the package is opened and stored at room temperature. If unopened, it can last for nine months.

If you've got room in the freezer, just freeze your candy right in the bag. Most candy will last indefinitely, and popping some in a lunchbox or backpack makes for an easy treat during the school year.

"Generally, stores really do sell through most of their inventory by lowering prices," said Michael Allured, publisher of candy trade magazine The Manufacturing Confectioner. "All but a very small portion is sold, the rest may go to a food pantry like Second Harvest.

If you don't want to throw it away or donate the candy (see secret #3), save it to use as favors for birthday gift bags, or to fill a pinata. For longer term storage, freeze the chocolate candy. Secret #3: Donate it to grownups. In theory, they'll be more responsible about watching for cavities.

Hard candy - hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Jellied candies - if the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be stored away from heat and light at room temperature of about 70 degrees. Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

Hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, lollipops and other individually wrapped candies can essentially last forever if they're stored right and kept away from moisture. Dark chocolate can last one to two years in a cool, dark, dry place. Milk and white chocolate will last up to 10 months.

Other options for candy donation include calling your local food pantry, homeless shelter or nursing home to see if they accept Halloween candy.

How many candies is too much? ›

If you are trying to keep added sugars to under 30 grams per day on a 1,200-calorie diet, you might want to limit your fun-size candy bars to 2 or 3 if that is the only source of added sugar for the day. Since it is likely that you will have other added sugars, it may be best to stick to 1 or 2 fun-size choices.

Hard candy - Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Jellied candies - If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be stored away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

Here are the types of candy you can freeze

Dark chocolate lasts one to two years; milk chocolate and white chocolate last eight to 10 months. Hard candy and gummies are similar: Keep them in a cool, dry place and they will last about a year.

“Most of the commercial candy products you'll see handed out this year are safe to consume and store for several months after trick-or-treating, but homemade candies and treats require a little extra scrutiny. These treats typically won't last as long as your store-bought favorites.”

A great way to spread the spooky season spirit is to donate your extra candy to a good cause. Kids might think there's no such thing as too many sweets, but as a parent, you know that sometimes, that bag full of sugar might be too much for your little one.

"Every year, Americans throw away about $400 million worth of uneaten sweets from trick-or-treating. That's a lot of food waste. But the fix is simple: stop giving away candies that kids don't like (candy corn, anyone?) and give away treats that they do enjoy.

Turn on your porch light and set a bowl of candy or healthy snacks and non-edible items on the front step for trick or treaters to grab from. You can put a little note saying “Please take just one!” to discourage people from grabbing too many. Turn off the lights when you're ready to go to bed.