DIY Candy Corn, Gummy Worm Alternatives: Actually Tasty and Even Healthy!

Halloween, that one magical, mystical time of year when ghosts, goblins and lots and lots of sugar come out to play. Don’t get us wrong, we love Halloween and all the sweet treats that come with it, but when it comes to getting ourselves and our kids hopped up on sugar and preservatives, we’re a little tentative.

We believe it is about finding a balance. A balance of giving in to your cravings and tempering them at the same time. So, when we can, we opt for homemade.

When you make your treats yourself, you know exactly what’s going into them, and, in turn, what’s going into your body.

Don’t worry, the kids’ll like ‘em - they’re still sweet after all!

Homemade “Real-Fruit” Jellies

Gummy bears and worms are usually made with a lot of corn syrup and artificial colors, and although they taste great, they’re pretty much all sugar. Half a bag later, and you’re wondering why you’re bouncing off the ceiling. How about jellies made with real fruit instead?

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup fresh Orange juice
  

• 2/3 cup fresh Raspberries
  

• 3 Tbs Honey
  

• 5 Tbs Gelatin
  

Materials:

• Immersion blender
  

• Gummy molds
  

• Whisk
  

• Squirt bottle
  

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the berries and juice and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

2. Once the berries have started to dissolve, add the honey. You can use the back of a spoon or spatula to mash the berries.

3. Once all berries and honey are dissolved into a compote, turn off the heat, and slowly add the gelatin, about one tablespoon at a time, and whisk vigorously during to avoid clumps.

4. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender.

5. Transfer the mix to a squirt bottle, and squirt mix into molds. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

6. Pop out your jellies.

Peanut Butter Pumpkins

How about a treat that tastes exactly like the inside of a chocolate peanut butter cup? These adorable pumpkins are sweet and full of protein at the same time. Nut allergy? Use a peanut butter substitute instead! Or how about sunflower seed butter? Delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  

• 1 ½ sticks or ¾ cup Softened Unsalted Butter
  

• 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  

• 3 drops All-Natural Orange Food Coloring
  

• Chocolate Sprinkles

Materials:

• Hand mixer
  

• Wooden skewer
  

• Metallic candy liners
  

Instructions:

1. Cream the peanut butter and butter until completely combined.

2. Add the powdered sugar in parts, starting the mixer on low and increasing speed slowly, to avoid a face full of powdered sugar.

3. Add the orange food coloring, a mix until completely incorporated. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

4. Grab mix by the tablespoonful and roll into balls.

5. Poke a hole in the center of each ball with the wooden skewer.

6. Create ridges with the wooden skewer, running from the top of the pumpkin to the bottom.

7. Add a chocolate sprinkle as a stem.

8. Place the pumpkins in candy liners and store in the refrigerator.

Related on Yahoo Makers: How to DIY Halloween Candy That’s Just Naughty Enough

“Candy Corn” Jell-o Fruit Cups

Let’s face it, there’s not a whole lot of nutrition in a candy corn. They’re fun to look at, and easy to pop in your mouth, but that’s about it. Instead of having your kids munch on these, give them a clever substitute. Make a sugar-free Jell-o cup look like candy corn, and pack it full of real fruit. Sure it’s Jell-o, but it’s also a lot of fruit full of goodness. Again, it’s all about the happy medium.

Ingredients:

• Sugar-free Pineapple Jell-o
  

• Sugar-free Orange Jell-o
  

• Whipped Cream
  

• Pineapple
  

• Cantaloup Melon
  

Materials:

• Plastic glasses

Instructions:

1. Chop your pineapple into small cubes, and add it to your glass, about a 1/3 of the way up.

2. Prepare pineapple Jell-o as directed, and add to the glass, just covering the fruit. Refrigerate until set.

3. Chop your melon into small cubes, and add it on top of the set layer of pineapple, another 1/3 of the way.

4. Prepare orange Jell-o as directed, and add it to the glass, just covering the melon. Refrigerate until set.

4. Top with whipped cream.

Also on Yahoo Makers:

Let Yahoo Makers inspire you every day! Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest.