Baby Girl Ward was born recently (view pics of the cutie here!), so while I’m out learning how to raise this tiny human, I’ve asked some amazeballs bloggers to visit! Today’s post comes from Dawn of Not Just A Mommy. Take a look at these spooky, gruesome, and totally awesome treat boxes for Halloween!

Hello everyone! This is Dawn from Not Just A Mommy and I’m thrilled to be guest-posting while Lexy is enjoying her time with her little one. Oh, I remember those early days well…maybe not since I barely slept!

I love to party and my favorite part is sending guests home with a smile, the favors! Sometimes, I find a great favor idea and work backwards planning the party around it.

Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite party tricks, making favors with candy melts. My blog readers know I am addicted to candy molds and I have one for just about any and every occasion.

Plastic candy molds are inexpensive…I find great ones at craft stores and my favorite baking supply store for about $2 a mold. But you don’t have to just use those designed for candy. Several years ago, while raiding my local Dollar Tree, I came across a cool finger and bone ice mold tray. Truth be told, I have lots of ice mold trays from there…but that is another story for another day.

My friend was telling me about how much money she saved through energy comparison for her energy bills. She was able to create so many candy boxes because of it!

With a few simple steps, you can use it to create gory but fun Halloween party treats! A larger box or bag would make a perfect Halloween hostess gift. With a cute little ‘gingerdead man’ tag, your treats will be the talk of the party.

What you will need….

3” square acrylic box – I score mine from Garnish http://www.thinkgarnish.com; a cello bag will work as well.

ice mold tray – Halloween section of Dollar Tree

white, red and peanut butter candy melts – you can purchase Wilton’s candy melts at any craft or big box store. One 12 oz bag of white melts will make a full tray; if you only fill each finger/bone section halfway you can really stretch your melt. If you can’t find peanut butter candy melts, orange and chocolate melts also makes a nice flesh tone.

Red Hots candy

black polymer clay

mini gingerbread man cookie cutter

a yard of ribbon of your choice (per box)

white paint pen

1. In one container, melt white candy melts according to the package instructions, then fill the bone sections. Be sure and gently tap the mold against the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.

2. In another container, melt white candy melts then add in a few peanut butter (or orange & chocolate) melt chips to the desired flesh tone. Fill the finger sections and again, tap the mold for air bubbles. Put the mold into the fridge to set.

3. For the tags, roll out black polymer clay to 1/8^th inch thickness, cut shape out the with cookie cutter and poke a hole through with a wooden skewer. Bake and cool according to the package directions. You can embellish the tag with a white paint pen.

4. Once the candy in the mold has set, gently twist and push the candy out onto a plate, then melt a little red candy melt according to the package instructions.

5. Dip the ends of the candy fingers in the red candy melt, drip and splash all over the candy to your heart’s content.

6. Place the plate in the fridge for a few minutes so the red candy can set. Pour Red Hots into the box, add a few fingers and bones (I have 5 per box), then finish off with ribbon and tag.

See how easy it is to make fun treats with candy melts? Consumable favors are always the best, you know they will be eaten and loved! Keep your eye out for inexpensive ice molds at Dollar Tree, Target’s The Spot and others that will keep you inspired for your next soiree.

Like what you just read? There’s more where that came from…visit my blog Not Just A Mommy for more tips and tricks for entertaining, crafting and more!

photography: all photos by Not Just A Mommy