Candy Corn. Either you love it, or you hate it. There doesn’t seem to be a middle of the road when it comes to this super sweet Halloween candy.

So, what’s in this candy that makes it controversial? According to the Brach’s website, the main ingredients in their candy corn are “sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, and sesame oil. Brach’s candy corn also contains artificial flavors and the food colorings yellow 6, yellow 5 and red 3.”

There’s nothing particularly outstanding in this list. And what could be so bad about a candy that contains only 140 calories in 19 pieces? Okay, that does seem like a lot of calories for very little input. But, that single serving doesn’t contain any fat!

Wondering what would be better or more filling for an afternoon snack that 19 pieces of candy corn? How about a half cup of edamame? Er, maybe not. Well, perhaps one organic string cheese? Only 80 calories, but it also contains six grams of fat. Let’s try again. Twenty-five pistachios contain 98 calories. Oh, but there we go with 8 grams of fat. And they aren’t sweet. I’ve got it! One cup of blueberries contains only 80 calories and no fat! I love blueberries, especially if I soak them in sugared water for about an hour. Oops. I said sugar.

I admit it. I am a sugar addict. So nineteen pieces of candy corn sounds good to me. Yes, I confess. I love candy corn. I also love Brach’s Autumn Mix which contains candy corn type pumpkins, larger and even chewier than candy corn. Yes, even less healthy than simple candy corn, the Mellocreme Pumpkins are a whopping 120 calories in only four pieces. Still no fat though.  What’s in these delightfully dangerous fall sweets that rival candy corn?  According to Brach’s website, the ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, salt, confectioner’s glaze (Shellac), gelatin, sesame oil, honey, dextrose, artificial flavor, Yellow 6, Red 3, Yellow5, Blue 1 food colorings. I guess honey is the ingredient that makes these non-pumpkin flavored treats even more delicious than candy corn.

Tomorrow is Halloween. Kids will be coming home carrying bags full of a variety of treats (hopefully). I imagine there will be a little mini pack of candy corn in there somewhere. There will be a lot less than nineteen; maybe five or six pieces. Will they be eaten or cast aside with an expression of distaste (or perhaps even disgust)? Or will there be a secret candy corn aficionado like me, subtly sneaking the little packet into a pocket?

Adult Candy Corn Ideas

Candy Corn Jell-o Shots

INGREDIENTS

• 3 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin, divided
• 2 cups water, divided
• 7 oz. sweetened condensed milk (only comes in 14 oz. can, so 1/2 of a can unless you make a double batch, which is always a good idea)
• 1 cup vanilla vodka, divided
• 3 oz. box orange JELL-O gelatin
• 2–3 drops yellow food gel

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan, add 1 cup water and 2 of the unflavored gelatin packets.
2. Whisk over low heat for 2–3 minutes until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add the sweetened condensed milk. Stir well to incorporate. Add 2/3 cup of vanilla vodka and stir again.
3. Pour half of the gelatin mixture into a microwave-safe bowl, cover and refrigerate for later use in Step 8.
4. Pour the remaining mixture into the bottom of the shot glasses, filling the bottom 1/3 of each glass. Place on a large cookie tray (uncovered) and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the gelatin has “set.”
5. Once the gelatin has “set” in the shot glasses, add the remaining unflavored gelatin packet and 1 cup water to a small saucepan. Whisk over low heat for 2–3 minutes until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
6. Add the orange jello powder and whisk to combine. Add the remaining 1/3 cup vanilla vodka and stir well.
7. Remove the shot glasses from the refrigerator. Pour a layer of the orange gelatin mixture on top of the white layer, filling each glass 2/3 of the way. Return to refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
8. Once the orange layer is set, remove the covered white gelatin from the refrigerator (from Step 3). It will be set like jello, so you will need to microwave and stir it in 30-second increments until melted and smooth.
9. Add 2–3 drops of yellow food coloring and stir well to distribute the color.  Pour the yellow mixture on top of the orange layers, filling up to the top of each glass. Chill for 30 minutes. ENJOY!!
   

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   For the Kids

   Candy Corn Jello Cups

   

   These candy corn jello cups are an easy make-ahead treat that’s perfect for Halloween parties or as a special fall snack.
    Servings 8 servings

    Calories 240 kcal

    Author Sara Welch

   Ingredients

   • 6 ounce box of orange jello
   • 6 ounce box of yellow jello
   • 2 cups of whipped cream or whipped topping
   • 1/2 cup candy corn
   • 8 plastic cups I used a 9-ounce size

   Instructions

   Instructions
   1. For the yellow layer:
   2. Place 2 cups of water in a medium microwave safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat until the water is
   boiling, approximately 2 minutes.
   3. Remove the bowl from the microwave and pour in the packet of yellow jello. Whisk until the jello has dissolved.
   Add 1 cup of ice and stir until ice has melted.
   4. Pour approximately 1/2 cup of yellow jello into the bottom of each cup. Place the cups in the refrigerator and chill
   until the jello is completely set.
   5. For the orange layer:
   6. Place 2 cups of water in a medium microwave safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat until the water is
   boiling, approximately 2 minutes.
   7. Remove the bowl from the microwave and pour in the packet of orange jello. Whisk until the jello has dissolved.
   Add 1 cup of ice and stir until ice has melted.
   8. Pour approximately 1/2 cup of orange jello on top of the yellow layer. Place the cups in the refrigerator and chill until
   the jello is completely set.
   9. For the white layer:
   10. Top each jello cup with 2 tablespoons of whipped cream or whipped topping. You can place the whipped cream in a
   piping bag fitted with a star tip or simply add a dollop with a spoon.
   11. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of candy corn over the top of each cup and serve immediately

   Nutrition Facts

   Candy Corn Jello Cups

   Amount Per Serving

   Calories 240Calories from Fat 27

   % Daily Value*

   Total Fat 3g5%

   Saturated Fat 2g10%

   Cholesterol 11mg4%

   Sodium 228mg10%

   Potassium 22mg1%

   Total Carbohydrates 50g17%

   Sugars 46g

   Protein 3g6%

   Vitamin A2.1%

   Calcium1.5%

   Iron0.3%

   * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.