Ways to use leftover Halloween candy

In a few days’ time, either you’ll be giving away the last of your Halloween candy, or trying to find a place to house your stash.

You can include these confections as decorations for sweet treats or as part of your own recipes.

Here are a few ways to use up your leftover Halloween candy — that is, if you don’t eat it all first:

Mix it up

Toss your leftover goodies into a party or trail mix.

Whoppers, Reese’s Pieces and candy corn in particular add some sweetness to any combination. My favorite blend: M&M’s, popcorn, pretzels and some Chex cereal.

Add more chocolate

Melt down a bar or two of bittersweet, milk, dark or white chocolate over a double boiler on the stove or slowly in a bowl in the microwave. Spread the liquid chocolate onto a parchment-paper-lined cookie sheet in an even layer. Sprinkle some leftover candy with some salty additions (pretzels). Refrigerate the chocolate for about an hour or until it sets. Once set, break the bar into pieces.

Stuff it into a baked good

“Pinata” cakes and cupcakes contain double the sugar — and the surprise. These treats are stuffed with candy pieces, making quite an effect when cut open.

Pinata Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing

Cake ingredients:

2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 stick unsalted butter 2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup milk 1 freshly brewed cup strong coffee

1-2 cups candy (M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, etc)

Cooking spray Icing ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup butter 4 cups confectioners sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1⁄4 cup milk 4 cups Cake directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time, mixing each time. Mix in the vanilla and milk.

4. Add the flour mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture 1⁄2 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly each time.

5. Pour coffee into the batter. Mix thoroughly.

6. Grease three 8-inch round pans with cooking spray. Divide batter among pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool.

7. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake on serving plate. Ice.

8. Cut a 3-4 inch circle from the center of the second cake. Place second cake on the first and ice it. Fill the center with candy.

9. Top the second cake with the third. Ice the cake completely. Decorate. Icing directions: 1. Mix all the ingredients together until fluffy.

Toss your leftover goodies into a party or trail mix. Whoppers, Reese’s Pieces and candy corn in particular add some sweetness to any combination.