Wondering what to do with extra Halloween Candy ?

Halloween is fast approaching, and so is the morning of November 1 when parents and trick-or-treaters begin suffering from confectionery overdose.

So what's a ghoul to do with all those pillowcases and Jack-o'-lanterns filled to the brim with sugary treats?

1. Storm the blender - make a blizzard!
"Don’t have the time to hit up Dairy Queen? Try crumbling your Snickers, 3 Musketeers, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and sprinkling them over ice cream or place in a blender to create a homemade blizzard or flurry. For added effect, add caramel or chocolate sauce and a dash of milk to create a smoother texture.

This is a tasty and fun option that the entire family can put their stamp on with their favorite candies."

2. No dropping this Butterfinger Layer Cake
"This is the perfect fake-out dessert treat that your friends and family will love. It’s easy and you can substitute any of your favorite pint-sized candies to make this party dessert.

Make (or buy) an angel food cake and cut into three layers horizontally. Spread each layer with whipped cream (or thawed Cool Whip if you don't want to make your own). Sprinkle crushed Butterfinger bars over the whipped cream before putting the layers back together. Eat immediately or freeze."

Angel Food Cake

1 1/4 cups sugar
12 egg whites
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift flour and salt into medium-sized bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat egg whites for about 1 minute. Add cream of tartar to egg mixture and beat gradually while adding in sugar for about 2-3 minutes. Beat in vanilla.

Sift flour mixture into egg mixture in 4 batches using a sieve. Gradually fold in flour with a spatula.

Pour batter into an angel food cake pan with a removable bottom and smooth top. Release any air bubbles with small spatula by gently cutting through batter.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Invert pan and let cool for about 1 hour.

Release cake from mold by running a knife along the inside of the pan and remove the bottom of the pan.

3. Crazy cocktail concoctions
"For the 21 and older crowd, Lemonheads, Skittles, SweeTarts or Red Hots are the perfect candies to infuse in vodka for a sweet or sour martini.

To infuse, funnel vodka into a glass mason jar or water bottle and add sweets to the mixture. Secure lid tightly and shake for about 10 seconds. Set aside in refrigerator for a few hours as the sweets (and color!) dissolve in the vodka.

After the sweets have dissolved, create a straining system by placing a coffee filter over a large glass measuring cup. Pour infused vodka over the coffee filter to separate candy and other debris from the liquid.

Repeat filtration process if candy debris remains or chill and serve in your favorite martini recipe.

Don’t have time to wait out the infusing process? Try a quick fix by adding a lollipop to your martini as a clever cocktail stirrer or garnish. Perfect to amp up a date night or a girls night in."

4. Cuckoo for candy bar cookies
"I love cookies. They are the perfect way to let your creative flag fly. Everyone has their favorite method to make cookies, whether from scratch using their grandma’s secret recipe or just popping frozen dough into the oven.

Why not use some of that leftover candy to add some flair to your usual chocolate chip cookie recipe? Fold in your favorite candies by chopping them up into smaller pieces to transform the traditional round treat. Try this quick recipe with Baby Ruth, Milky Way, Rolo Caramels or other miscellaneous chocolate pieces.

Not a chocolate lover? Take out the peanut butter and add in Red Hots or Nerds, or for an added kick and pinch of color."

Makes about 18 cookies

3 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 eggs beaten
1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup milk
5 small candy bars, chopped up

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cream the butter, peanut butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and mix well, then add the vanilla.

Sift the dry ingredients together and add alternately with the milk. Stir in the cut-up candy bar pieces.

Spoon teaspoon sized drops on greased cookie sheets. Bake about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

5. The happiest treat on earth - Frozen Banana Pops
"One of my favorite childhood memories was frozen bananas from Disneyland. Fruit is the perfect companion to sweets. You can get your serving a fruit (with no guilt) by mixing it up Disneyland-style with some of your favorite leftover candy.

Insert a wooden craft stick into a peeled banana and place in freezer until hard and frozen. Take M&Ms, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or any chocolate candy of your choice and melt in the microwave then coat frozen banana in the melted mixture. Dip banana in almonds, peanuts, rainbow sprinkles or other topping and place in the freezer until hard."