This Is the #1 Candy That Parents Steal from Kids on Halloween
Updated: Oct. 29, 2020
Have YOU swiped this candy?
To say “Halloween is going to be different this year” would be a vast understatement. 2020 should have had the perfect day of things that go bump in the night; Halloween is on a Saturday and there will be a full moon, so it seemed it’d be a spooky season for the ages. And then, well, COVID happened, and suddenly we’re not sure whether we’re even going to hand out candy. Unfortunately, that also means less candy for parents to sneak from their kids’ trick-or-treat bags. Yes, it’s a bummer for the adults, too!
Thankfully, DoorDash has come to our rescue with an epic promotion—and they’ve revealed the type of candy that’s most stolen by parents.
The Candy Parents Can’t Resist Is…
DoorDash’s survey of 1,000 parents found quite a few interesting Halloween tidbits, including that 84% of parents admit to stealing their kids’ Halloween candy (which means 16% of ’em were lying). What candy was most taken? This’ll likely come as no surprise, but the title of most stolen candy goes to Snickers, with 26% of parents saying that’s their Halloween treat of choice.
Coming in at second and third were Twix and M&M’s, with 16% and 15% of parents sneaking them out of trick-or-treat buckets.
Psst: This is why we pass out candy on Halloween.
Parents Care About Halloween Fun in 2020, Too
The DoorDash survey found grown-ups are sad about the changes to Halloween this year, too. In fact, 88% of parents said they’d miss at least one major form of celebrating Halloween this year. Fifty-five percent said they wished they could attend a party, and 51% wished they could take kids trick or treating (there’s less candy to snag without it, right?). More than half of them said they’ll celebrate Halloween this year by staying home and watching scary movies, decorating their spaces, dressing up or handing out candy.
For the parents who are feeling sweet-treat deprived, DoorDash and Mars Wrigley are running a promotion. Parents can get a free bag of candy by opening the DoorDash app, selecting DashMart and finding the ‘Parents Only’ bundle. Then, enter code PARENTS at checkout. Since this is only available in areas where DashMarts are located, the rest of us will have to find another way of getting our Snickers—although there are still plenty of fun ways to celebrate Halloween.
Halloween Peanut Butter Cookie Pops
A miniature candy bar is hidden inside these fun pops. Colored frosting and candy faces make these addicting cookie pops the perfect Halloween treat. —Martha Hoover, Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Jumbo Jack-o’-Lantern Cookies
Every Halloween, I'd have a batch of these cookies waiting for my kids when they came home from school so they could decorate their own. Eventually, they started bringing friends home to join in the fun.
Candy Corn Cookies
Get a head start on these buttery Halloween cookies by shaping and chilling the homemade dough ahead of time. When you're ready, just slice and bake the tricolor treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halloween Party Cutout Cookies
I've been making these Halloween cookies for about 40 years—first for my children and now my grandchildren and all their friends, too. I make about 20 trays a year to give away to trick-or-treaters. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Caramel Apple Bites
Kids can help make these perfect fall cookies by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Tombstone Treats
My brother loves Rice Krispies squares, and my mom loves sugar cookies. I came up with a cute treat they'd both like.
Kiss from a Vampire Cookies
Raspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Meringue Pumpkins
Cast a sweet spell over your Halloween party guests by making a pumpkin patch’s worth of treats. It’s easy to use this basic meringue recipe spiced with pumpkin flavor to scare up fun cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Magic Macaroons
Peanut butter, candy corn and macaroons are three of my favorite things, so I combine them all to make one magical sweet that's perfect for Halloween. —Jeanette Nelson, Bridgeport, West Virginia
Freaky Frankenstein Cookies
They're alive! Each year when the Halloween invites start coming my way, I create a little treat to bring. These cute cookies bring a lot of life to every party. —Philia Kelnhofer, West Allis, Wisconsin
Ghost Shortbread Cookies
Pac-Man was my favorite video game when I was growing up. For a party, I decided to get creative and shape my go-to sugar cookies into the ghosts from the game. —Jamie S, Regina, Saskatchewan
Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting
The recipe for these pleasantly spiced pumpkin cookies won a champion ribbon at our local county fair. These are a family favorite, and everyone enjoys the soft cakelike texture. —Robin Nagel, Whitehall, Montana
“Boo”-rrific Kisses
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen turned cute meringue cookies into these whimsical kisses, perfect for Halloween. With just 15 calories, each little treat can be enjoyed guilt-free! —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Pumpkin Spice Cutouts
Through all the years I've been baking, I’ve never come across a pumpkin cookie recipe that you can actually cut out with cookie cutters. (Most I’ve found are drop cookies.) Each bite tastes just like pumpkin pie—delicious! —Marion Kearley, Ladner, British Columbia
Autumn Leaf Cutouts
Turn classic cookies into a platter of autumn leaves. Make them in solid colors, or combine pieces of tinted dough for a multicolored effect. — Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Spice Pumpkin Cookies
These soft cookies are almost like little pieces of cake. With chopped pecans sprinkled over a confectioners’ sugar frosting, they’re a pretty addition to a dessert table. —Bev Martin, Hardin, Montana
Eyeball Cookies
All eyes will definitely be on these adorable cookies when they're set on any buffet table. I created them for my son's kindergarten class for Halloween. —Sherry Lee, Columbus, Ohio
Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies
Whenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Honey-Date Pumpkin Cookies
Just in time for harvest, here are some delicious drop cookies, plump with dates, pumpkins and nuts. The old-fashioned cream cheese frosting will remind you of Grandma’s kitchen.—Eunice Stoen, Decorah, IA
Day of the Dead Cookies
I make these cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in each to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Pumpkin Cookie Pops
These cookie pops are a great way to liven up a Halloween party. Kids love them! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bones & Blood
Like a zombie, you'll be desperate for more of these bone-shaped cookies and dip. Fight nicely over them—no biting! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Tassies
This pumpkin and chocolate cookie has a special feel that makes it perfect for a holiday dessert table. If you don’t have a pastry tip, use a freezer bag to pipe the buttercream into the cookie cup. It works well for me. —Laura Milanowski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Apple Peanut Butter Cookies
These apple peanut butter cookies are great for fall gatherings. They're crisp on the outside and soft inside. —Marjorie Benson, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Halloween Chocolate Cookie Pops
Our children look forward to making these cute cookies each year. They've become experts at making silly faces with little candies.
Owl Cookies
I came up with these cookies as a treat for my kids’ class parties. Not only do they look cute, but they are also delicious.—Starrlette Howard, Ogden, Utah
Meringue Bones
This unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Quick Ghost Cookies
Spruce up store-bought cookies for the holiday. These are a real hit with "goblins" of all ages. —Denise Smith, Lusk, Wyoming
Frightening Fingers
These cookies have become somewhat famous at the school our children attend. One year, I made more than 150 of these "fingers" for their classroom Halloween parties.—Natalie Hyde, Cambridge, Ontario
Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies
There is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, Tennessee
