30 Ways to Use Up All of That Leftover Easter Candy

Updated: Feb. 27, 2024

Did the bunny bring a few too many jelly beans, candy bars or marshmallow Peeps? Put 'em to work in these tasty dessert recipes.

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people asking if I’m bringing this chocolate peanut butter poke cake. If you don’t have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons of baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

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Trail Mix Slices

Leftover candy: Mini M&M’s

With big handfuls of dried apricots and cherries, almonds and pistachios, we make dozens of treats you can take anywhere.—Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey

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Easter Nest Torte

Leftover candy: Egg-shaped candies

In this delectable dessert, a luscious cake layer nestles rich mousse and chocolate “twigs.” Your guests won’t be able to get enough of this unique Easter nest cake recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Pie

Leftover candy: Snickers candy bars

I love chocolate, caramel and hazelnuts so I came up with a recipe that has all three. If you don’t have a food processor, place crust ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag and smash with a rolling pin. —Debbie Anderson, Mount Angel, Oregon

Bonus: Here’s a recipe you can try to make your very own healthy Snickers bars!

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Peeps House

Leftover candy: Peeps

Create a sweet house for your favorite Easter basket treat. Use pastel candies to decorate the roof and nest. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Kiddie Crunch Mix

Leftover candy: M&M’s

This no-bake Easter snack mix is a real treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs. Place it in individual plastic bags or pour some into colored ice cream cones and cover with plastic wrap for a fun presentation. —Kara De la Vega, Santa Rosa, California.

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No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms

Leftover candy: Chocolate kisses

Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana

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Coconut Egg Nests

Leftover candy: Jelly beans

Looking for an Easter activity that kids will enjoy assembling and eating? Try these sweet birds nest cookies. They’re a snap to make and call for just a few ingredients. —Tonya Hamrick, Wallace, West Virginia

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Candy Bar Brownies

Leftover candy: Milk chocolate candy bars, Snickers 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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Peeps Sunflower Cake

Leftover candy: Peeps

The inspiration for this cake came from one of my favorite flowers, the sunflower. The yellow peeps make eye-catching flower petals, and I carefully placed chocolate chips in a circular pattern to resemble the seeds in the middle of a sunflower. This cake is easy, but looks quite impressive. —Bethany Eledge, Cleveland, Tennessee

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Giant Monster Cookies

Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M’s and peanut butter? If your appetite isn’t quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world’s best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
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Bird Nests

Leftover candy: Peeps, Egg-shaped candies

This is a fun, kid-friendly recipe I pulled together a few years ago. My kids love helping me make these. —Jessica Boivin, Nekoosa, Wisconsin

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Crispy Pretzel Bars

Leftover candy: M&M’s

I often make a big batch of these peanut butter-flavored cereal bars on days that I don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Kids especially love them, so they’re great for picnics, potlucks and school bake sales. —Jane Thompson, Eureka, Illinois

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Chocolate Pizza

“People who love chocolate will enjoy this delightfully sweet confection,” says Janet Smith of Sunnyvale, California.
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Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Leftover candy: Chocolate kisses

Baking peanut butter kiss cookies to share doesn’t get much easier than this. Stir together four ingredients. Bake. Top with a kiss. Done! Your family will love this Hershey’s peanut butter blossom cookie recipe. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona

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Bird's Nest Treats

Leftover candy: Egg-shaped candies

I make this birds nest recipe in the spring when the birds are starting to build their own nests. They are so easy to make and disappear just as fast. —Pam Painter, Poseyville, Indiana

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Peanut Butter Cup Trifle

Leftover candy: Mini peanut butter cups

Using just five ingredients makes this recipe so simple. You can add a little extra decoration with chocolate jimmies, too. —Chris Nelson, Decatur, Arkansas

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Mini Brownie Treats

Leftover candy: Chocolate kisses

I like to take these quick-and-easy treats to potlucks and family gatherings. They disappear quickly! —Pam Kokes, North Loup, Nebraska

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Snickers Cookies

Leftover candy: Snickers candy bars

Though you wouldn’t know by looking, you’ll find a sweet surprise inside these Snickers cookies. My mother got this recipe from a fellow teacher at her school. It’s a great way to dress up refrigerated cookie dough. —Kari Pease, Conconully, WA

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Butterfinger Cookies

Leftover candy: Butterfinger candy bars

These great cookies don’t last long—make a double batch! —Carol Kitchens, Ridgeland, Mississippi

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Strawberry Truffles

Leftover candy: Milk chocolate candy bars

The ever-popular combination of strawberries and chocolate shines in these rich, decadent truffles. I often double the recipe to give as gifts. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas

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Milky Way Pudgy Pie

Leftover candy: Milky Way candy bar

My favorite pudgy pies have Milky Way candy bars, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows. So irresistible! And buttered bread is a must. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

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Jelly Bean Cookies

Leftover candy: Jelly beans

It’s a family tradition for my grandmother and me to make these colorful cookies every year for the holidays. —Cheyenne Fink, Pleasantville, Pennsylvania

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White Chocolate Party Mix

Leftover candy: M&M’s

You won’t be able to stop eating this irresistible white chocolate party mix. The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M’s. —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

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Cherry Kiss Cookies

Leftover candy: Chocolate kisses

Topped with a chocolate kiss, these cherry-flavored cookies look super cute on a dessert tray. Share them with family and friends. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin

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Butterfinger Cookie Bars

Leftover candy: 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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Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

Leftover candy: Peanut butter cups

I said I’d bring dessert to a holiday party and tried this recipe. I’m sure you’ll agree it tastes as luscious as it looks! —Dawn Lowenstein, Hatboro, Pennsylvania

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M&M Oat Bars

Leftover candy: M&M’s

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

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Lemon Bark

Leftover candy: Hard lemon candies

I wasn’t a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It’s tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah

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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Leftover candy: Chocolate kisses

Guests will stand in line to kiss the cook when these treats are served! For a change of pace, try them with chunky peanut butter, too. —Canada60, Tasteofhome.com Community