Halloween is a time for costumes and candy. Americans spend roughly $6 billion per year on Halloween candy. After Christmas, Halloween is the country's second-biggest commercial holiday.
Although many people like the convenience of buying bags of pre-made candy, they will not have control over the amount of sugar or the other ingredients that are being put into these confections. This Halloween, celebrants may want to make their own sweet treats to hand out or share at Halloween festivities.

* Chocolate lollipops: All it takes is a mold, heating device and some chocolate candy melts to make delicious and eye-catching homemade lollipops. A visit to the craft store will probably yield all of the ingredients you need. Some kits feature squirt bottles that can be filled with chocolate, heated in the microwave and then easily squirted into the candy molds.

* Cake pops: A revolution in dessert, cake pops can be made in two ways. The first method is baking a cake and then crumbling it up into a bowl. Then a container of cake frosting is added, making the mixture moldable. The mixture is then formed into balls, which are put on lollipop sticks and dipped into melted chocolate. The second cake pop method is to purchase pans or special waffle-iron-type devices that turn batter into balls while cooking. Then the cake balls are put on sticks and covered in frosting or chocolate.

* Candied fruit: Caramel-covered apples are an autumn tradition, but you also can dip bananas into chocolate or pieces of pineapple for a pseudo-healthy treat.

* Chocolate bark: Create a healthy and delicious mixture of ingredients by melting dark chocolate and adding in nuts, dried cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, or anything else you can think off. Pour the mixture on a piece of waxed paper and allow to harden in the refrigerator. Then cut into chunks and enjoy.

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