Sweet Baked Life

Can you believe that Halloween is just around the corner? Not me! At least it’s finally feeling like fall around here! Even though the sun is still shining brightly during the day, there is a definite chill in the air, the leaves are beginning to fall from the trees, and the wind is starting to pick up speed! So now is the perfect time to embrace the season — decorate your home, buy lots of your favorite candy, and whip up a batch of this fun Halloween Candy Fudge! You’ll be in the spirit in no time!

This fudge is quick, easy and quite tasty! Since I could not find a large bag of the Halloween/Fall colored M&M’s, I purchased the standard plain milk chocolate ones and had my son separate out the M&M’s that were yellow, orange and brown. And to make the fudge a bit more festive, I added some much-loved, ok not by all, Candy Corn. The end result is a smooth creamy chocolate base with a bit of crunch and texture from the candy.

Halloween Candy Fudge
(recipe adapted from Martha Stewart)

2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
3 cups milk chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups M&M milk chocolate pieces (yellow, orange and brown colored ones)
1/2 cup Candy Corn (optional)

Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Set aside.

Place butter, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a medium heat proof bowl set over (not in) a pot of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until chocolate just melts and mixture is combined and warm but not hot, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1-1/4 cup of M&M candy pieces and 1/4 cup of Candy Corn (optional). Transfer mixture to pan and smooth top. Then sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of M&M’s and 1/4 cup of Candy Corn (optional) on top, press down slightly.

Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours (or you can wrap up and chill overnight). Grab the ends of the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan, then cut into 25 squares. The fudge can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks (in my home, there is no way that it would last that long).

These sweet bite sized Halloween Candy Fudge squares are perfect for nibbling on and a great way to welcome the season!