Big Fun: Tricked Out Treats Using Fun Size Sweets
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 
If I had a time machine, I would go back in time and punch whoever invented the Fun Size candy bar.
Because you know what? They aren't very fun at all. Eating just one is definitely not fun (too small!) and when you inevitably try to satisfy your candy appetite by eating 10-12 of the pint-sized treats, what you feel is basically the opposite of fun.
Can this sticky situation be salvaged in time for Halloween, when Fun Size reigns? In the name of science, I purchased an entire bag of Fun Size Snickers bars and tried in several different ways to put the fun back in Fun Size. I'm happy to report that it was indeed fun, decidedly delicious, and these ideas could easily be translated to other Fun size variations (perhaps not so much on the non-chocolate varieties such as Starburst or Skittles, though I encourage you to choose your own adventures). Ready for some fun? Let's do it:
Fun Size S'more: Guess what? Making a s'more with a Fun Size candy bar instead of bar chocolate works fantastically! The caramel oozed in a most satisfying way, and worked in a sort of campfire-meets-rocky road sort of way. (P.S. if you like this, you may also enjoy the S'moreo).
Fun Size Filled Cupcakes: Make a batch of cupcakes. Fill the cup slightly lower than you generally would with batter, and put a fun-size bar directly in the cup. Bake per the recipe's instructions, and then frost once cooled. It's like a sweet trick (and treat) in the middle of your already awesome cupcake. Score!
Fun Size Frosting Sandwich: Sandwich together two Fun Size bars with a generous smear of buttercream frosting. Ignore any objections or concerns that may arise as a result of friends, arteries, or better judgment, and let the party in your mouth begin.
Fun Size Kebab: Alternate slices of your Fun Size candy with another small-ish confection, say a Little Debbie Swiss Cake Roll. Because two small treats make one delicious experience.
Fun Size Shortbread: Kind of like a simplified Millionaire's shortbread. Simply make your favorite shortbread recipe and form as cookies or as bars (I used a mini scone pan, for no particular reason other than that it was clean and around), and before baking cut up an entire Fun Size candy bar on top of each serving. The candy will ooze into the shortbread as it bakes. It doesn't necessarily look pretty, but it tastes fantastic.
"Let's Be Honest With Ourselves" Fun Size Confection: Let's be honest. We've all eaten four Fun-Size candy bars (at least) in one sitting. So why not be honest with yourself by mashing them all together beforehand? Take four bars and align them together on a plate; microwave on high for about 20 seconds. Use a knife to smooth over the chocolate so that they stick together, and dig in while it's still warm. Use a knife and fork and your dignity will remain intact. Sort of.
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cakespy mischief, candy, halloween
Reader Comments (38)
Excellent looking kabob. Not sure that I could make myself eat it. My mom puts these in cookies, I find that they are way too sweet.
Now I am craving a Snickers bar...or two...
Naughty, naughty! There's some real Halloween tricks and treats lurking when you combine bad with badder still! ;)
(Of course, your gooey treats aside, I agree those little Snickers bars spell danger for adults..you just end up eating twice as many- no doubt that is the point.)
Now THAT's fun! Ya know, I miss America, aka Candyland... :)
That shortbread is genius.
"Fun size" is a good way to trick your conscience in saying "see, I am only eating this small thing" and then go for a splurge of eating 4 (and yet, 4 is a decent number when you look at the size of a bag of fun size items).
I love the idea of fun size shortbread. Just not sure my scale or pants do... But if I can wrap fun size shortbread around my conscience, hehehe...
I love the shortbread one, and they look pretty darn tasty to me!
Classic!!!!
When the remains of fun-sized leftovers need to finally be cleared out of my kids' plastic pumpkins, we are so doing Fun Size Treat Experiments!!!
oh my! i think i love you!
I learned the hard way this week, that adding Rolos candy to cupcakes does NOT work. The chocolate melts, but the caramel centers don't and instead, sink like little caramel rocks stuck to the bottom of the cupcake (or the wrappers). I had such high hopes too. haaa
Brilliant! I want some s'mores now!
I think I'm going to add snickers to the Halloween funfetti mix I just bought. I expect magic!
Brilliant idea! i like fun-size bars because they're tiny and i convince myself that one isn't too bad, but this is a whole new fantastic way to make use of them. Kudos!
You are pure evil genius! And I'm guessing you're gonna need an intervention soon. Good luck with that.
Oh. My. God. This post is hysterical! Why have I not thought to do these things before? haha, love it, looking forward to fun sized candy bars even more now!
You. Are. Too. Funny. for our own good. On the other hand, they all look like so much more fun. And afterall, no one CAN eat just one...
I just gained 10 lbs. from reading this post. Love the idea of putting the candy bar into cupcakes and using them for shortbread.
What I really like doing with them is stuffing them into cookies, like peanut butter cookies. Turns every cookie into a delicious cookie surprise!
What research you won't do for us readers! I agree with Melleah, I think I gained 10 lbs. too!
This is amazing, but also kinda cruel. In the name of science, you've done well. My grandma always leaves a bowl of fun-sized candies out on her coffee table for visitors. I hate it cause I always look like a pig, going back for so many.
I agree with everyone else who's said that your shortbread idea is sheer genius! Such a brilliant idea!
This is awesome! I've always thought that fun size bars were misnamed, (it's those gigantic mega bars you get around Christmas that are the REAL fun size treats!), but your ideas definitely put the fun back in the equation.
Jebus, these treats are ridiculous! Now I'm gonna have to create more homemade candies to make these things.
we feel the same frustration about the "fun" size every time we go out too eat here in Japan. last night, we were hoping for normal american portions, so we hit up KFC for the first time. You would've thought it was liliputian food. One puny chicken breast, a mini sandwich, and about 8 fries... and it cost almost $10!
definitely the most fun I've had all day. ;D
I love your blog. Usually - when I find other muffin blogs, successfull ones that is, I get a tad jealous and try to hate the blog/blogger - but I cant help but love your blog. :)
seems like you just loove the sweets and the fun and your illustrations are so adorable and I gotta say I'm very inspired.
So thanks. :)