Leftover Halloween Candy Brownies
Wondering what to do with leftover Halloween candy? Make these fudgy brownies topped with Kit Kats, M&M’s and whatever chocolate candy you have left.
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Every year after Halloween, we somehow end up with a bowl of candy that seems to multiply overnight.
The kids have eaten their favorites. I’ve probably grabbed a few of mine. And then we’re left with all those mini chocolate bars and random pieces of candy sitting around the house.
These leftover Halloween candy brownies are my answer.
They’re thick, rich homemade brownies topped with whatever chocolate Halloween candy you have left. Kit Kats, M&M’s, Hershey’s bars, Crunch-style bars, cookies-and-cream chocolate…you don’t need one specific kind.
And unlike recipes that bake the candy directly into the brownies, the Halloween candy goes on after the brownies come out of the oven. The hot brownies soften the chocolate just enough to make everything melty and stick to the top without overbaking the candy.
Basically, it’s an easy way to make a dent in the Halloween candy stash while turning it into a dessert everyone actually wants to eat
What You’ll Love About This Recipe:
Ingredients You’ll Need
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What Halloween Candy Works Best in Brownies?
This recipe is especially good for using up chocolate-based Halloween candy.
Try a combination of:
Use what came home in the Halloween buckets. You don’t need to buy six different kinds of candy to make these brownies. A random mixture is exactly what makes them fun.
How to Make Leftover Halloween Candy Brownies
- Prepare Your Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 baking pan with two pieces of parchment paper, extending the paper over the sides. If you’re not using a nonstick pan, grease any exposed corners.
- Melt the Chocolate and Butter – Break apart your chocolate bars into large pieces. Place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. This took about two minutes during recipe testing.
- Make the Brownie Batter – Mix the sugar and salt, then stir them into the melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in the eggs, then add the flour and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Bake – Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 35–37 minutes. While they’re baking, unwrap your Halloween candy so it’s ready to go as soon as the brownies come out.
- Add the Halloween Candy AFTER Baking – This part matters. Don’t put the Halloween candy on before you bake the brownies. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, carefully arrange the candy over the hot surface. Gently press M&M’s or other candy-coated chocolates into the brownies as needed. The heat from the brownies will soften the chocolate bars and help them meld into the surface as everything cools.
- Let Them Cool – Let the brownies cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting. The chocolate bars will still be pretty melty at this point. If you want the candy completely set before serving, let the brownies cool on the counter first and then move them to the refrigerator or freezer for a bit.
Find the measurements and full recipe below!
Don’t Bake the Halloween Candy Into the Brownies
During testing, we tried adding the Halloween candy before the brownies went into the oven. It didn’t work nearly as well.
Some of the candy sank into the brownie batter, while pieces that stayed on top looked overcooked by the time the brownies were finished. White chocolate was especially noticeable because it started to brown.
The better method is also the easier one: bake the brownies first and add the candy as soon as they come out of the oven. The brownies are hot enough to soften the chocolate and hold everything in place without actually baking the candy.
For even more delicious recipes, you will like these:
My Easy Trick for Using the Halloween Candy Stash
Don’t overthink which candies go together.
I would let everyone choose a few favorites from the Halloween stash, unwrap them while the brownies bake and scatter everything across the top.
Bigger candy bars can be broken into smaller pieces, while M&M’s and other small candies can fill the gaps.
It’s also an easy way to use some of those candies that everyone likes, but nobody seems to pick first when there are still Reese’s and full-size candy bars left in the bucket.
Keep a few recognizable pieces whole. You don’t need to chop every candy bar into tiny pieces. Leaving a few Kit Kats or other mini bars intact makes it obvious that these are Halloween candy brownies and gives them that over-the-top look.
The Perfect November 1 Dessert
If you’re wondering what to do with all the Halloween candy the morning after trick-or-treating, save this recipe.
Let the kids pick out the candy they definitely want to keep, then grab some of the extras for the brownies. It’s a fun November 1 baking project, and you don’t need to make a special trip to the store for toppings.
You can also make these after a Halloween party, bring them to a fall sports weekend or cut them into smaller pieces to share with friends and neighbors.
How to Store Halloween Candy Brownies
Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Because of all the candy on top, I’d put parchment between layers if you’re stacking them.
FAQs
Can I Use Boxed Brownie Mix?
Yes, you can use this same leftover-candy idea with your favorite boxed brownie mix. Prepare and bake the brownies according to the package directions, then add your unwrapped Halloween candy immediately after the brownies come out of the oven.
The homemade brownie recipe below is extra rich and fudgy, but I’m never going to argue with a brownie mix when that’s what makes dessert.
Can I Put the Halloween Candy in Before Baking?
I wouldn’t. During testing, candy added before baking either sank into the batter or became overcooked. Add it immediately after baking instead.
What Is the Best Leftover Halloween Candy for Brownies?
Chocolate bars, wafer bars, and candy-coated chocolates work especially well. Use a leftover mixture rather than worrying about buying one specific candy.
Can I Freeze Halloween Candy Brownies?
Yes. You can freeze the brownies for up to three months.
Halloween candy has a way of hanging around our house long after Halloween, so I’m always happy to have an easy way to use some of it up.
Save the candy everyone really wants, grab a handful of the extras and turn them into brownies. You don’t need matching candy or a perfectly planned combination. That’s kind of the point.
And if using a brownie mix makes this easier on November 1? Do that. Leftover Halloween candy is still going to be hard to resist.
Leftover Halloween Candy Brownies
These rich, fudgy leftover Halloween candy brownies are topped with an assortment of mini chocolate bars and candy. An easy and delicious way to use up the Halloween candy stash!
Ingredients
- 12 Tablespoon Butter, unsalted
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 12 oz Semi-Sweet and/or Milk Chocolate Squares
- 4 large Eggs
- ½ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Assorted Mini Candy Bars
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and prepare a 9x9 pan with 2 pieces of parchment paper, creasing the top so it folds over the edges and stays in place. If you are not using a non-stick pan, grease any exposed corners.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, place your butter and chocolate. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each one, until everything is melted and smoothly combined. In my microwave, this takes 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and salt.
- Add the sugar and salt mixture to the chocolate, and stir until smooth. Next, whisk in the eggs, then the flour, and finally the vanilla.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 35-37 minutes.
- While the brownies bake, remove the wrappers from your candy bars.
- When your brownies are fresh out of the oven and still hot, carefully arrange the pieces on top. Candy-coated chocolate like M&M’s may need to be gently pressed into the top. Chocolate bars will become melty and soft as they sit on the brownies, then meld onto the brownie as they cool.
- Let the brownies set and cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting and serving. At this point, the chocolate bars will likely still be melty, so if you would like them to set, place the brownies in the fridge or freezer after they have cooled on the counter for at least 20 minutes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 485Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 182mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 1gSugar: 56gProtein: 5g
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Hi, I’m Brittany, and I believe life at home should feel easier, not heavier.
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