This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mars candy. All opinions are 100% mine.
Halloween is by far one of my most fav’ed holidays. Oddly I have always been interested in the history behind the day of the dead. Now that I am a mom, my excitement also rolls over into decorating my home and preparing goodies for the trick or treaters that will visit Halloween night! Here is a peek at the Graveyard I created for the big night. It is filled with light-up and eery gravestones, bones and even a hidden Zombie. Beware as the ghostly figures in the window are sure to frighten those who wish to enter.
On a sweeter note, this year we elected to have a MARS Candy Halloween by adding a bit of their deliciousness at every turn and even sneaking a mini bite in myself a time or two. First order of business for the big night is shopping. Gosh I love that word and for this project there is no place better than my local Wal-Mart store. So off to the massive candy isles I go, searching for the ideal Mars Halloween candy for our goodie bag and mommy snack projects.
After searching through the isles, I added several fun size bags and then of course some much needed yard decor. After walking around a bit longer, I located this humongous 101 oz bag of mixed Mars minis and funsize bars. So back the small bags went and in the big bag went into my Halloween themed cart. Score one for the Iowa Mom home team.
The extras needed for the trick or treat goodie bags were a little harder to select. Odes to self never wait till the 29th to buy Halloween supplies. After much debate, I opted no bubbles {no matter how super fun they are} as I didn’t want to chance them ruining the chocolaty yumminess. I did locate some really cool looking glasses, cool, stretchy, gooey skeletons, sticker sheets and the traditional bracelets, vampire teeth and rings.
Before we get too far I guess I should share my secret to treat bag making success. After all as a mom of 7, I have been doing this times hundreds at this point. Well here it is: “Lay It All Out!” What that boils down to is just opening all the packages and lay each item out separately on the table. This will ensure that each bag gets the same items and no one feels left out on Halloween night. Then you can celebrate having a boohoo free holiday.
Now that I have shared my love for shopping, Mars Candy, Halloween and of course the top secret treat bag tip, it is time for this mom to get back to work. With only one down and several dozen more to go; all I can say is wish me luck. Once mommy duties are complete I can sit down for a cup of joe and a Snickers Brownie {recipe below}.
Have a happy and safe MARS Halloween everyone!
Snickers Brownies
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate; coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 3 eggs; lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 12 Fun Size Snickers Candy Bars; cut into fourths
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Microwave chocolate and butter or margarine in large bowl at medium (50% power) for 3-4 minutes or until butter is melted.
- Whisk until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar. Add in eggs, extract and salt. Gradually add in flour and stir until just combined.
- Spread ½ the batter into prepared pan. Add an even layer of Snickers and cover with remaining ½ of brownie batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes; do not over bake.
- Remove to cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before cutting.
Recipe and brownie photo credit: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/snickers-brownies/
