Why Does Chocolate Bloom Make Candy Bars Look Dusty?

If you’re anything like me, your mind is already one season ahead—I’m talking fall, baby! I’ve already got my eyes on the new HomeGoods Halloween collection. It’s never too early for a bunch of cutely carved pumpkins around the house, you know what I mean?

And what else comes with Halloween but candy? I hold trick-or-treating near and dear to my heart. But sometimes I open up a Snickers bar to see a weird dusty coating. That strange dust or powder on chocolate is called chocolate bloom.

What Is Chocolate Bloom?

The explanation for chocolate bloom is simple food science—it happens when the fat in chocolate separates from the rest of the candy. When chocolate is left in a warm place and melts, the fat in the chocolate (also known as the cocoa butter) will separate from the rest of the ingredients as it cools and reforms. Then, as the fat rises to the surface, it creates that white, dusty film.

In a similar process known as sugar chocolate bloom, the sugar will crystallize due to excess moisture. When that happens, you’ll typically see a speckled appearance on top of the candy bar.

No doubt you’ll come across a Snickers, Milky Way or Hershey bar with a weird bit of white dust or an off-colored section. Here’s what to do when you find one.

Is Bloomed Chocolate Safe to Eat?

The short answer is yes, it’s safe. The taste may end up a little off, but it’s edible nonetheless.

If you’re uneasy about eating bloomed chocolate, but don’t want to waste the candy, use it for baking. Drop ’em into candy bar cookies, crush the candy bars to top chocolate-covered pretzels or stir pieces into candy bar brownies!

Our Best Recipes Made with Leftover Candy

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Taste of Home

Ultimate Candy Bar CookiesRecipe uses: 7 Butterfinger candy bars, 27 Reese's mini peanut butter cups, 27 miniature Snickers candy bars I created these after Halloween, when I had way too much candy left over. You can make them with any mini chocolate candy, but if you use peanut butter cups, throw them in the freezer just before unwrapping so the chocolate won’t stick to the paper. —Tara John, Plymouth, Minnesota

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Tootsie Roll FudgeRecipe uses: 2 cups of Tootsie Roll Midgees and 1/3 cup of M&Ms When my husband came home with 50 pounds of Tootsie Rolls he bought at a discount store, I had to figure out a way to use them—so I came up with this Tootsie Roll fudge recipe! —Carolyn McDill, Ohatchee, Alabama

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Crazy Halloween BlondiesRecipe uses: 2/3 cup milk chocolate M&M's 2/3 cup chopped candy corn

I have a real sweet tooth, so Halloween is my favorite holiday. I came up with these bars for my kids, but I think I like them even more than they do! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Pumpkin Ice Cream PieRecipe uses: 3 Heath candy bars Although it looks like you fussed, this pretty layered pie is easy to assemble with convenient canned pumpkin, store-bought candy bars and a prepared crust. "This make-ahead dessert is delicious any time of year," reports Suzanne McKinley of Lyons, Georgia.

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Magic MacaroonsRecipe uses: 1/3 cup candy corn 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

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Taste of Home

Butterfinger CookiesRecipe uses: 6 Butterfinger candy bars These great cookies don't last long—make a double batch! —Carol Kitchens, Ridgeland, Mississippi

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Taste of Home

Candy Bar BrowniesRecipe uses: 4 Snickers bars, 3 plain milk chocolate candy bars Two kinds of candy bars baked into these brownies make them an extra special treat. —Sharon Evans, Clear Lake, Iowa

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Taste of Home

M&M Oat BarsRecipe uses: 1 package caramels
1 cup plain M&M's

These irresistible bars can sweeten any holiday. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota

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Taste of Home

Colorful Candy Bar CookiesRecipe uses: 40 miniature Snickers candy bars No one will guess these sweet treats with the candy bar center start with store-bought dough. Roll them in colored sugar…or just dip the tops for even faster assembly. Instead of using miniature candy bars, slice regular size Snickers candy bars into 1-inch pieces for the centers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Candy Bar Cheesecake BrowniesRecipe uses: 1-1/2 cups assorted miniature candy bars (about 28)

I came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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Peanut Butter Cereal TreatsKids will love these colorful, crunchy bars. They’re a fun twist on the traditional marshmallow crispy treats…and because they’re so easy, older kids could whip up a batch on their own! —Christie Porter, Shipshewana, Indiana

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Candy Bar Apple Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Candy Bar Apple SaladThis creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

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Peanut Butter Brownie TrifleThis rich, tempting, peanut butter brownie trifle feeds a crowd and features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next get-together. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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Butterfinger Cookie BarsMy boys went through a phase where they loved Butterfingers. We made Butterfinger shakes, muffins, cookies and experimented with different bars; this one was voted the best of the bunch. Make sure you have an extra candy bar on hand because it’s hard to resist a nibble or two while you’re chopping. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California

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Baby Ruth CookiesRecipe uses: 2 Baby Ruth candy bars I love Baby Ruth candy bars and usually have a few on hand, so I decided to put them to good use in my favorite cookie recipe. —Elinor Nield, Soquel, California

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S'mOreosRecipe uses: 4 Oreo cookies, 1 milk chocolate candy bar My son introduced us to this twist on classic s'mores when we were camping. Have a jar of Nutella around? Slather on the inside of the graham cracker halves before you build this one-of-a-kind treat. —Christina Smith, Santa Rosa, California

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Recipe uses: 3 Heath candy bars Make a one-handed grab for this tender cake studded with toffee bits. Victory is extra sweet with a treat this good. — Nicolette Burnett, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Recipe uses: 2 milk chocolate candy bars My aunt always brought s’mores-style bars to our family's summer cottage. Plain or frosted, they’re perfect for eating on the run. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Butterfinger Cookie BarsRecipe uses: 6 Butterfinger candy bars My boys went through a phase where they loved Butterfingers. We made Butterfinger shakes, muffins, cookies and experimented with different bars; this one was voted the best of the bunch. Make sure you have an extra candy bar on hand because it’s hard to resist a nibble or two while you’re chopping. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California

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