That's Nuts: Five Things To Do with Leftover Halloween Candy

Note: Lee Zalben, a.k.a. "the Peanut Butter Guy" is the creator of the Peanut Butter & Co., a New York sandwich shop with a national line of nut butters. Every week he'll chime in with some nuttiness.

[Photograph: Lee Zalben]

This weekend, it's here—the day kids and candy executives alike have been waiting for all year long. But have you ever considered how many of your favorite Halloween candies involve peanuts or peanut butter? Butterfinger, Reese's (the cups and the pieces), Snickers, Oh Henry, Baby Ruth, Mr. Goodbar, Payday, Watchamacallit...

With all those peanuts floating around, I thought it would be fun to work up a few alternatives, rather than just scarfing them straight from the wrapper. These aren't "recipes" per se (for me that means "from scratch"). They're just fun ways to enjoy your (or your kids') trick-or-treat loot.

1. Peanut Butter Crunch Milkshake

Add a Butterfinger bar to three scoops of ice cream and 1 cup of ice cold milk. Blend on high and serve with a straw and a spoon.

2. Snickers Smoothie

Chop up a Snickers bar and place into blender with 1 banana and 1 cup vanilla yogurt. Add 1 cup ice cold water and blend until smooth.

3. Hot Chocolate Peanut Butter Toast

Place a Reese's peanut butter cup on a slice of white bread and heat in toaster oven for 3 minutes. Spread with knife and enjoy.

4. Poached Pears with Chocolate Peanut Caramel Sauce

Peel and slice two pears and poach in sugar water, then remove from liquid. Roughly chop 8 Goldenberg's Peanut Chews and place in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Heat over low flame and stir until the chocolate and caramel melts and the peanuts are free-floating. Allow to cool slightly and pour sauce over pears while still warm.

5. Eggs on a Snowy Log

Wash and trim some celery stalks into 4 inch "logs." Fill with cream cheese and top with Peanut M&Ms for a healthy (sort of) snack.

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Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 82: Peanut Butter Portion Control

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