Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies

I way overdid it this past weekend. But three days into my intense workouts to undo the weekends caloric damage, I'm a little sore, tired, and ready for a break from Halloween candy. I came across this recipe in the Eating Well Cookbook. I liked the chocolate cookie idea, but felt that it needed more. Like some Halloween candy. Seriously, what to do with all of that candy, right? I don't seem to mind it much when it's mixed in with a good cookie.

On top of the caloric damage I brought onto myself, I'm also battling a cold I caught from a night of trick or treating in the rain. Fancy that the kids didn't catch one. They got to wait for doors to be answered under nicely covered porches while they urged me to wait so they could exerpt independence from their parent. And where was Dad when the downpour occured? He happily volunteered to stay home and pass out candy to trick or treaters--stating that it was very important that someone remain at the house to pass out candy. Fancy that as I met other mothers along the route they all mentioned there was a certain coveted basketball and football game on that night and that all of their husbands had stayed home to pass out candy too. So willingly stayed home I might add.

In addition to these cookies, there are some other great ideas from around the web that I found for using up Halloween candy.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Adapted from Eating Well 500 Calorie Cookbook

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 large egg whites
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped and melted
• 1 cup leftover Halloween candy--make sure to cut up larger chocolates like Reese's peanut butter cups, or crush candy like Heath bars. M&M's, Reese's pieces, Junior Mints, Mint Musketeers and other candies work great.

1. Position rack in the center of the oven; preheat to 350° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer until foamy, about 1 minute. Beat in granulated sugar in a slow, steady stream. Scrape down the sides, then beat in brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla and melted chocolate. Stir in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.
3. Drop the batter by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet, 1 ½ inches apart.
4. Bake the cookies until flat yet springy, with slightly cracked tops, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Let the pan cool for a few minutes before baking another batch; replace parchment paper if torn or scorched.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

1. Make sure to use parchment paper. Absolutely necessary for making the cookies turn out right.

2. These cookies can be frozen! Which makes it nice to allow yourself to only eat the amount your want to eat. Just freeze them between sheets of waxed paper and enclose them in a freezer safe container. Allow them to thaw for at least 15 minutes before eating.

3. Don't want to use candy? You can substitute raisins, cranberries, blueberries, or raspberries in place of the candy. Or use pecans or walnuts for a nuttier flavor.

OTHER HALLOWEEN CANDY IDEAS:

1. Save it for those Christmas gingerbread houses.

2.  Make it into this delicious looking Halloween Peanut Butter Candy Bar.

3. Donate it to your local dentist office. They will give you cash, and give a contribution to charity.

4.  Make caramel apples! (My favorite for girls nights are from Rocky Mountain Chocolates) but you can make your own too!

5. Freeze it. You and the kids won't be as willing to eat it all yourself in one day. It also helps to exercise a little more self control. Although candy bars like Twix, Musketeers and Junior Mints just taste awesome frozen. Just saying.

6. Get a pinata and stuff the candy in it. On Thanksgiving Day while the men watch the football games, the kids have a fun activity to enjoy. Or turn it into art. Grab some storebought frosting and add extra powdered sugar until it becomes thick and stiff. Have each child create their own art project out of Halloween candy. Let them take pictures and have them vote on their favorites!

7.  Use it as science. CandyExperiments.com has come up with some great science experiments that you can do with leftover Halloween candy.