It’s that time of the year again where candy corn reigns as the supreme snack. However, for those who can’t stand the idea of having anymore of the traditional Halloween candy, here are some quick and easy recipes for the spooky season.

Chocolate Bark Candy
You will need: Chocolate, various candy toppings

Directions: Line baking sheet with parchment paper and pour warm, melted chocolate into a pan. Spread the melted chocolate evenly in the pan using a spatula. Scatter desired toppings over chocolate. Place the pan into the freezer for 30 minutes. If you want even slices, cut after 10 minutes and place back into freezer for the rest of cooling time.

“Dirt” Cupcakes

You will need: 1 box of chocolate cake mix, 1 package of Oreos, 1 can chocolate icing, 1 bag of Gummy worms

Directions: Preheat oven to box instructions. Prepare cake mix according to box instructions. Grease pan. Pour batter into cupcake pan and bake as instructed on box. Once baking is complete, let cupcakes cool for 10 minutes and spread frosting. Crumble Oreos and sprinkle cookie crumbs on cupcake tops, then place gummy worms and other desired candy toppings on cupcakes.

Classic Candied Caramel Apples

You will need:1 bag traditional packaged caramels, 2 tablespoons of water, 6 ice cream sticks, 6 assorted apples

Directions: Remove stems from apples and replace with Popsicle sticks and/or skewers. Line baking sheet with nonstick foil. Unwrap caramels and place them in a bowl. Microwave caramels and 2 tablespoons of water together in bowl for 3-4 minutes. Dip apples into mixture and wipe away excess caramel. Place on baking sheet and decorate apples with desired candies and sprinkles. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes or until caramel is solid.

Rice Cereal “Hay Bales”
You will need: 1 box of any rice cereal, 1 bag of marshmallows, 1 cup of shredded wheat, 1 cup of shredded coconut, 5 tablespoons of butter, pull-and-peel licorice laces

Directions: Butter a standard sized pan. In a saucepan, melt remaining butter and add marshmallows, then add the rice cereal and stir mixture. Pour mixture onto the buttered pan and flatten evenly. Create 6 bales. Cover each bale with a generous amount of shredded coconut and wheat. Once finished, tie the licorice laces around each bale.

Mint Chocolate Cookie “Spider” Sandwiches
You will need: 1 package of Pillsbury mint chocolate chip cookies, 1 bag of chocolate chips, 1 bag of pretzels, 2 cups of chocolate icing

Directions: Place cookies on baking sheet and follow baking instructions on package. Once finished, set cookies out to cool. When cooled, spread adequate amount of icing on half of the cookies. Use the other half to create sandwiches. Once cream sandwiches are made, stick 4 pretzel sticks on either side. Finally, add the chocolate chips to the front of the cookies to create eyes.

 

 

File photo / The Louisville Cardinal