Halloween Candy Cake

It’s the day after Halloween and the magnificent mound of candy sitting on the dining room table makes you wonder if your house will be on a perennial sugar high through New Year’s. You (like many parents) have thought about tossing the remaining goodies in the trash. But, the sad look that your child is sure to throw in your direction stops you in your tracks. So, what’s a mom (or dad) to do? Bake a cake!

 

I’m not a baker. I’m only marginally able to throw together ingredients and come up with something that doesn’t taste completely terrible. But, I do enjoy getting creative in the kitchen. Making a leftover Halloween candy cake is super simple (and later this week I’ll give you and even easier recipe for a pie!). My son helped with most of the baking, and all of the eating. I didn’t go the from-scratch route, as this is a recipe for those who are short on time (or those who are like me, and are missing that baking gene).

Even though this decadent dessert can use up most of your child’s candy, some sweet treats won’t do well in it. Only use chocolate-based candies that don’t have super-sticky or hard components. We used peanut butter cups, Kit-Kats (my husband loved the crunch, but my son did not) and 3 Musketeers bars. You can substitute other chocolaty ingredients as you see fit.

 

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Chocolate cake mix – If you have a favorite recipe, please go ahead and use it.

·        Chocolate pudding mix

·        Milk

·        Whipped topping

·        Chocolate Halloween treats

·        Colorful sugar crystals or sprinkles—I used orange and green for a Halloween theme.

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Mix the cake batter. Your child can help you to measure and mix it up (and it sneaks in a math lesson).

2.     Crumble, break apart and crush the chocolate.

 

3.     Sprinkle the crushed candy into the cake batter. Have your child stir it together.

 

4.     Pour the mix into a baking dish. I used a 13 x 9 dish, but you can use whatever size fits your needs.

5.     Bake the cake. Don’t allow your child to put the cake in the oven or go near the oven while it’s baking.

6.     Make the pudding. Mix the milk (again, let your child do the measuring) and the pudding powder.

7.     Stir a few tablespoons of whipped topping in with a few tablespoons of pudding.

8.     Take the cake out of the oven. Let it cool.

9.     Cover the cake with the pudding-whipped topping mixture. It won’t look “pretty.” My son said it looked like a mud cake. While it might not be aesthetically pleasing, the taste makes up for what it lacks in looks.

 

10.  Sprinkle the sugar crystals on top.

 

 

Yes, I know - this isn’t in any way healthy. It’s candy in a cake, with pudding and sugar on top. You really can’t get unhealthier than that. I may have gained five pounds just smelling the sweet chocolate as I took the cake out of the oven. While I don’t condone an unhealthy diet for children, this is a treat. It’s not an everyday dessert or something that you should make every weekend. It’s a way to use up your child’s Halloween candy all at once. So, invite a few friends over to finish the cake. When they’re done eating, the candy is done too.

Are you looking for more Halloween themed ideas? Follow my fall Pinterest board for activities!

 

Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Fall Activities for Kids on Pinterest.