That’s technically what we call them here. Candy-coated chocolates. M&Ms, of course, is a specific brand name. Whether you buy those or Nestle Smarties or any of the other brands I cannot conjure up in my head right now, you have to admit that they are more than just candy. Their form factor – the small, hard candy shell – allows the to also be toys, game pieces, craft supplies and so much more.
Inspired by Cybele for her list of how candy canes can be used, I have come up with a list of how M&Ms candy-coated chocolates can be used, other than the obvious, traditional, eating handfuls at a time usage.
Use them:
- In recipes instead of chocolate chips
- As markers and placeholders for board games
- For tic-tac-toe. Who needs that silly pencil and paper? This is the 21st century, for crying out loud!
- As rewards for children doing their chores
- To sweeten your coffee or tea, instead of sugar
- As decoration for a gingerbread house
- For your studying system, as Elena did on the TV show Felicity, season 1, episode 10
- As decoration, making a wreath like this using other candies as well
- To rim the glass for a chocolate martini by crushing them in a food processor and dipping the glass in the fine powder
- To decorate a cake
- To make trail mix by mixing them with raisins, nuts or seeds, and whole grain breakfast cereal (like Chex Mix or Cheerios)
- As ice cream toppings for a “make your own Sundae party” (of course you’ll need lots of other toppings as well)
- As more decoration – Separate by color and fill several different-sized apothecary type jars with a single color candy for an eye catching display. A craft store like Michael’s should have glass jars in many shapes and sizes.
- As a less-expensive party favor wrapped in cute bags or boxes and tied with silk ribbon
- To decorate cupcakes with them (similar to the cake idea)
- To make an attractive Ikebana centerpiece by filling a vase with them and sticking a single fake flower in it
- Mix them with your leftover candy corn to make a colorful candy dish combination
- Use them in place of chips or cash at a poker game. That way you really can put your money where your mouth is!
Well, we didn’t get to 33 like Cybele did on her list. This is just what we came up with in short order here at the candy HQ. What do you use them for when they are not simply being eaten?
M&Ms by Vernhart.
