Originally Posted 2015, Revised 2025

Did you know that in St. Louis when kids go trick-or-treating, they have to tell a joke? Yep, we work for our candy around here. Even the toddlers have some sort of trick they practice (with prompting from their parents, of course) for weeks leading up to the big day. Growing up, I remember my mother literally holding the bowl of treats back from the neighborhood kids until they each told a joke. The goofy jokes are similar to ones you’d normally find on Laffy Taffy wrappers. Example: “What did the sick pumpkin say?” …”I don’t feel so GOURD!” 

I thought I’d share a recipe to help use up some of the sweet treasures your little comedians may bring home this Halloween. Blondies are essentially a cross between two of my favorite desserts: brownies and chocolate chip cookies. You can add just about any chocolate-based Halloween candy to the mix of sweets and I’m pretty sure this recipe will still work. For this updated version, we used Twix, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, Snickers, Milky Ways, and M&Ms. They’re delicious. No joke!

Candy Bar Blondies

Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 40 min.

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2-3 cups chopped Halloween candy (go for the chocolate-based ones: Kit-Kats, Snickers, Milky Way, Reese’s PB cups, M&Ms, etc.)

The Newlywed Chefs

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