by Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam
LivingOnADime.com

Here are some tips for using all of that extra Halloween Candy!

* To prevent sugar shock, have a big bag of popcorn waiting when everyone comes back from Trick or Treating. It's easy to fix and will counteract some of the sweet stuff.

* You can freeze candy up to a year in the freezer.

* Don't forget to buy discounted Halloween candy for Christmas stockings and parties. Most kids don't care if their Christmas candy is orange and black or if it has silver and gold wrappers instead of red and green.

* Use leftover Halloween candy in Christmas baking and for making gingerbread houses.

* Use grated or chopped chocolate in place of chocolate chips in cookies.

* It is easier to cut candy into pieces if you freeze it first.

* Break Butterfinger candy bars into peanut butter cookie dough.

* Sprinkle chopped chocolates on a white or chocolate frosted cake or use them to top ice cream and cheesecake.

* Mix leftover chopped chocolates into cake mixes.
 
* When making cupcakes, decorate the tops with one Hershey's kiss or a mini candy bar.
 
* Pour some leftover candy into a basket or pretty bowl to give to someone for a special gift.
 
* Even a Christmas bag full of an assortment of candies would be a gift that would delight anyone - kids, adults, co-workers or neighbors.

* When making apple butter, instead of your usual spices use 1/2 cup red cinnamon candies and 1 Tbsp. cinnamon for every 10 cups apples and your regular amount of sugar.

 
Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!  Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com