Here’s What Ree Drummond Loves to Make for Halloween
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Take a page from Ree Drummond's recipe book this Halloween with a sweet-and-salty candy bark.
Halloween is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking of all the fun and seasonal treats you can whip up for party-goers, trick-or-treaters and friends! If you’re still brainstorming some ideas, take a tip from the Pioneer Woman herself. Ree Drummond has a simply wicked treat that brings all the best of Halloween together in a single treat: Halloween candy bark. Here’s how to whip up this super-easy treat.
Pick Your Base
We all know that melted chocolate is the base of any good bark, but Ree takes it to the next level with a crunchy foundation: graham crackers! Simply ay graham crackers (any flavor you like) down on the tray, then layer with melted chocolate—dark, white or milk.
Next Up, Candy
Around Halloween, grocery store shelves are stuffed to the brim with plenty of seasonal options for you to choose from. Make a few different batches (and get the kids involved), experimenting with different candy color schemes, flavor profiles and more. There’s really no wrong way to do it!
In fact, the best way to make this treat is to see what Halloween treats your kiddos bring home. They might get some fun ideas of what to do with all those fun and funky candies.
Finally, Assemble
Now that you’ve got all your ingredients, it’s time to put it all together. Simply melt your chocolate and pour it onto a large baking pan that you’ve lined with buttered aluminum foil. While the chocolate is still soft, add in all the candy of your choice. Sweet chocolates, salty pretzels, even cookies and nuts, are all welcome on your candy bark—just be sure to crumble them into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking. Then let your bark stand for one hour or pop it into the fridge, break it apart, and enjoy!
Just like that you’ll be enjoying an amazing Halloween snack and living a bit like the Pioneer Woman.
Ultimate Candy Bar Cookies
Recipe 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
Tootsie Roll Fudge
Recipe 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
Crazy Halloween Blondies
Recipe uses: 2/3 cup milk chocolate M&M's 2/3 cup chopped candy cornI 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
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
Recipe 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.
Magic Macaroons
Recipe 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
Butterfinger Cookies
Recipe uses: 6 Butterfinger candy bars These great cookies don't last long—make a double batch! —Carol Kitchens, Ridgeland, Mississippi
Candy Bar Brownies
Recipe 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
M&M Oat Bars
Recipe uses: 1 package caramels1 cup plain M&M's
These irresistible bars can sweeten any holiday. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Colorful Candy Bar Cookies
Recipe 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
Candy Bar Cheesecake Brownies
Recipe 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
Peanut Butter Cereal Treats
Recipe uses: 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate M&M'sKids 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
Candy Bar Apple Salad
Recipe uses: 4 Snickers candy barsThis 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
Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Recipe uses: 2 packages miniature peanut butter cupsThis rich, tempting trifle feeds a crowd and features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next party or potluck. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Butterfinger Cookie Bars
Recipe uses: 6 Butterfinger candy 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. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California
Baby Ruth Cookies
Recipe 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
S'mOreos
Recipe 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
Tailgate Toffee Bars
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
S'mores Crispy Bars
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, MinnesotaButterfinger Cookie Bars
Recipe 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
