How to Handle a Candy Surplus
Happy Halloween, folks. A day late, sure.
But we're all still zombies today, amiright?
Hands down, Halloween is one of the weirdest days of the year.
Everyone's seemingly holding their normal together, then BOOM!!!
It's October 31st and your kids' orthodontist is using his hard earned years of training to permanently straighten teeth, all while dressed as Prince Charming.
Or you're at Dunkin' Donuts just tryna get a cup'o'Joe while standing in line next to this:
But, nevermind all the weirdness...
#BECAUSECANDY
Gosh, it's a good day if I find one forgotten Hershey Kiss that fell off of a preschool craft.
But Halloween takes it over the top.
Candy. Bags of it. Confectionary delights. EN MASS.
I think we can agree that not all candy is created equal.
There's a good chance you've seen this floating around on social media, but it was so spot on that it's worth wasting a few more seconds to ponder.
Let's all hope we landed on the porches of "The Legends" last night.
So, yes. HALLOWEEN. The day of costumes. But really, the day of candy.
We have mastered the process of procuring the free candy.
It's what we do with it once we've secured the goods that is the question.
Let's dive in.
HOW TO HANDLE A CANDY SURPLUS
1. Don't Have a Surplus. Just Eat it.
If you can't even win at candy eating, then perhaps losing is just your thing. Look. We all KNOW we are capable of eating all the candy!! It's not a question of CAN we.
We just choose not to for reasons of health and judgement from others.
Maybe you fall among the few and the proud that embrace the "It's only once a year" philosophy.
Maybe you strategically ration it like you're an Oregon Trail pioneer afraid of succumbing to a broken leg.
If that's you...then onward and upward, fair warrior. Don't let the naysayers fool you into the following....
2. Donate It
Two of the four boys had untimely dentist appointments on Wednesday. One with a grand report. The other with a report similar to what I used to earn before receiving my teeth of perfection honed from the pearly gates of heaven.
(Thank you, again, Palmetto Dental Arts. Foreal. I love you.)
But we learned of a candy bounce back event that our pediatric dentist is hosting, which I'm sure is a "thing" where you live if you don't live in Bluffton, so ask around!
Come have fun at the expense of donating your candy to troops overseas! Such a great idea!!
Blufftonians, click HERE for the details.
3. Use it as Flair
3. Use it as Flair
Basically, make some desserts you'd normally make, but throw the surplus candy on top for embellishment purposes. A few years back, I did this with a trifle that is one of my go-to dessert life savers. Outside of my children and that one time I folded a fitted sheet perfectly, it's the best thing I've ever made. Do NOT suffer from trifle intimidation!!!
It's just a normal dessert in a fancy bowl. Everyone calm down.
Here's the recipe I use. I would link it, but it's linked to my memory which is difficult to site.
This delight has gotten me out of many jams. Mostly dessert related. But I feel like a speeding ticket one time and possibly jury duty.
Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix (I use milk chocolate)
1 large box instant chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 large container cool whip
surplus candy (optional)
Instructions:
1. Bake cake according to box instructions. Let it cool.
2. Cut the cake into 1" cubes.
3. Place 1/2 of the cake cubes in the trifle bowl.
4. Mix pudding and 2 cups of milk. Stir until it thickens.
5. Spoon 1/2 pudding mixture over the cake cubes.
6. Top with 1/2 of the Cool Whip.
7. Sprinkle some surplus candy on top.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining amounts: cake, pudding, Cool Whip, surplus candy.
4. Experiment with it, and show everyone via social media so they can see how clever you are!
This is similar to #3 but it's actually with new recipes, intentionality, and requires some internet research. Here are a few I found that made me almost lick my computer screen like a real winner. Click the PINK LINKS for recipes and to find the sites I hijacked these from! Snicker's Bar Blondies
MilkWay Poke Cake
This could be a great option for the often overlooked and under-appreciated, surplus Milky Way.
5-Ingredient Halloween Candy Popcorn
For the Sweet n' Salty lover
5. Mail Surplus Candy to a College Student
Everyone remembers the unequivocal joy of a receiving a care package.
Besides, exams are right around the corner and Twizzlers are surely close to acai bowls on the list of popular power foods.
6. Throw it at People
Less conventional, perhaps, but this is a rare time when you can get away with throwing things at someone.
Why not peg Mr. Neighbor in the back with a Kit Kat on his morning run? He'll be confused, but then hey!
FREE KIT KAT!!!!
In similar fashion to every WhimsyTown post, there are far better ideas and theories out there on the internets. A great place to start is Pinterest. Search leftover Halloween candy if you're willing to die a slow death while occasionally reading about using surplus as visuals for math problems.
Alrighty, ghoulfraaaaands.
I hope as you woke up with face paint residue and a countertop full of costume and candy carnage, you received all treats and no tricks.
No fake roaches like my anonymous neighbor with a death wish lovingly did to us on his/her last night of life.
And now....onto Thanksgiving for about zero seconds before Christmas face palms us for the next two months. Get ready! It's go time!
What are you doing with your candy today?