All the fun and excitement of Halloween comes with an unexpected kind of haunting. 

It happens every year, and lasts for weeks (maybe even months!), but it still always manages to come as a surprise.

Yup-- we’re talking about the giant bag of leftover candy lurking in your pantry.

That insidious, seemingly-bottomless sack of sugar might be laughing at your healthy eating attempts… unless, of course, you can get one step ahead.

We’ve hand-picked three of the most brilliant dessert recipes for leftover candy. They’re perfect for making with your kids, or enjoying with friends and family. And the best part? They’ll get the sweets out of your pantry well before the holidays roll around!

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Ingredients:

• Chocolate wafer cookies
• One tube of orange frosting with piping tips
• Small Reese’s cups

Directions:

1. Place cookies on a flat surface, squeezing a dot of frosting (about the size of a dime) on each.
2. Unwrap the Reese’s cups and flip them upside down, with the wider base pressing gently onto the dot of frosting.
3. With the orange frosting, pipe a “hat-band” around the Reese’s cup using the round piping tip. Add a square “buckle.” Allow the frosting to set before storing at room temperature in an airtight container, or enjoying immediately!

Loaded Candy Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of melted unsalted butter
• ⅔ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of chocolate chips
• 2 cups total of your chopped-up favorite candy bars

Directions:

1. Combine melted butter and both sugars in a large bowl. Mix by hand-stirring or using a mixer.
2. Stir in baking soda, vanilla, salt, eggs, and finally flour.
3. Add in chocolate chips and chopped-up candy pieces. Stir.
4. Line a cookie sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Scoop 2-tablespoon sized balls of dough and place them on the cookie sheet. Chill for at least 1 hour. If chilling for longer than 4 hours, cover the dough with plastic wrap. Can be chilled overnight or frozen for up to 2 months.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line additional cookie sheets and spread cookies 2 inches apart. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes. Cool for at least 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet. Enjoy!

Dessert Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 roll of your favorite refrigerated cookie dough
• 4 ounces of cream cheese
• ½ cup of marshmallow creme
• M&Ms
• Your favorite chopped-up candy bars
• Caramel sauce (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Press cookie dough into a 12-inch circle on a parchment-lined baking stone or pizza pan. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until the cookie appears slightly golden.
3. Allow the cookie to cool completely.
4. Beat together the cream cheese and the marshmallow creme in a bowl. Spread the mixture in a thin layer across the cookie. Sprinkle your favorite chopped-up candy. Cut the pizza into wedges and serve. Drizzle with caramel sauce to taste, and enjoy!