Fun and easy candy recipes

Remember your favorite candy when you were a kid? You may not enjoy it as much as you did when you were young, but indulging on occasion can reconnect you to those sweet childhood favorites. June is National Candy Month and the following recipes – featuring candy for the kid in you – are updated treats for your adult tastes.

National Candy Month recipes

Super Smarty Sugar Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

• 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups Smarties (chocolate) candy*

* If Smarties aren’t available in your area, plain m&ms will work

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, baking soda and baking powder in a small bowl.
2. In a second bowl, beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Beat egg and vanilla into mixture and then gradually beat in flour mixture until well combined. Stir 1-1/2 cups of Smarties into dough.
3. Spoon dough into 1-inch balls onto a baking sheet. Top each ball of dough with a sprinkling of the remaining Smarties. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are golden. Let cool on a wire rack.

Swedish Fish Martini

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces peach schnapps
• 3 ounces cranberry juice
• 1-1/2 ounces blackberry schnapps
• 4 to 5 Swedish Fish candy

Directions:

1. Shake peach schapps, cranberry juice and blackberry schnapps in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Place Swedish Fish in the bottom of a martini glass. Strain cocktail into glass and serve.

Popcorn and Nerds

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups unpopped popcorn
• 1 box Willy Wonka Nerds Candy
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Directions:

1. Pop popcorn in an air popper or over the stove. When popcorn is popped, add Nerds and toss to combine.
2. In a small bowl, stir together sugar and butter. Pour over popcorn. Toss to coat. Serve warm.

Keep reading for more candy recipes

How to make homemade gummi candies
Recipes for extra Easter candy
Leftover candy cane recipes
Top 6 trends for your sweet tooth
Chocolate therapy: New healthier chocolates