If you didn't have as many costume-clad kiddos at your door as you expected this Halloween, try one (or more!) of these creative ways to use up your extra candy. But, if the concept of leftover candy is a fantasy in your household, stock up when buying goodies for trick-or-treaters (or trunk-or-treaters) before making any of these over-the-top desserts and sweet, seasonal crafts.

To make this candy-coated layer cake for your next Halloween bash, you can use store-bought frosting to save time, or you can make your own. The amount of candy needed will depend on the size of your cake. (It took about 4 cups of candy to cover this two-layer 8-inch round cake.) Pro tip: Organize all of the candy into piles, so you know how much you have of each kind to work with. Cut some of the bigger candies into pieces for variety.

This candy-inspired cake proves that a trick can also be a treat. Decorated in classic candy corn colors, this dessert is already full of Halloween spirit, but the inside also holds a secret stash of the candy that spills out when you go in for a slice.

Keep the Halloween fun rolling with a themed ice cream bash for your family or neighbors. Use any extra candy that trick-or-treaters didn't take as toppings for a scream-worthy ice cream bar.

Who says gingerbread houses are only for Christmas? Use up leftover chocolate bars, candy corn, marshmallows and sandwich cookies (or whatever you have on-hand) to keep the Halloween fun alive in your home, even after October 31. Start with a gingerbread house kit and store-bought frosting to create an edible haunted house display in no time.

Level up seasonal blooms by placing them in a candy corn vase. Simply create a base layer of candy at the bottom of your vase, then place a smaller container inside. Fill the space between the two vases with more candy until the smaller one is hidden. Bonus: You can use this technique with other sweets, like marshmallows, jelly beans and candy-coated chocolates, too. (Just make sure your vase stays in a cool spot to avoid melting.)

Garland isn't just for the winter holidays. Celebrate Halloween with a tasty twist by stringing up some extra sweets on colorful rope, twine or thread. Ring-shaped candies work best for this easy DIY, but you can use skewers to poke holes in any gummy treat you want to use.

Chocolate bark is easy to make and a delicious way to use up extra candy. To prepare, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour a bowl of melted chocolate onto the sheet and spread with a spatula to an even thickness. Sprinkle with your favorite chocolatey candies (and pretzels for a salty crunch!) while still warm, pressing them in slightly to adhere. Let set for about 1 hour to cool completely before breaking into pieces with your hands or a chef's knife.

Made out of marshmallows and white chocolate-dipped pretzels, these gooey and crunchy characters are as much fun for kids to create as they are for them to gobble up.

Got anything left in the candy bucket once the trick-or-treaters have come and gone? Chop up chocolatey leftovers, fold them into Jeff Mauro’s easy cookie dough and bake up a batch of post-Halloween treats.

For this Halloween dessert, smash brownies (use a box mix to save time) into the bottom of individual trifle bowls, then top them with layers of ice cream, chopped-up candy, hot fudge and whipped cream. You will need one 4-inch brownie, 1/3 cup unwrapped chocolate candy pieces, 2 tablespoons hot fudge, 1/2 cup ice cream and 1/3 cup whipped cream for each mini trifle. Accent each with Halloween-themed sprinkles.

Don't be afraid! The creepy feeling that you are being watched is coming from this brownie. Frost brownies with your favorite icing, then press on pieces of candy and sprinkles. Eyeball candies attached to two almond M&M's with a dab of frosting bring these treats to life.

Treat the kids (or yourself!) to an over-the-top Halloween breakfast. Instead of chocolate chips, fold crushed or chopped candy bars into pancake batter and flip away. Sunny’s blueberry syrup is the perfect topper — when the berries are cooked down, their deep-blue hue looks almost black.

Candy-corn-colored gumballs, ribbon and a few tools are all you need to make this (sweet!) necklace that doubles as a fun kids’ craft. Just use a skewer or awl to poke a hole through each gumball, working on one side at a time. Thread ribbon through a large needle, then slide it through the gumballs, tying a knot after each as you go. Add a ribbon bow for the perfect finishing touch.

Chopped chocolate-covered candies are folded into the pudding filling and strewn over the top of this versatile pie. Freeze it for an icy delight, or refrigerate it if you're looking for something a little softer.

This cute, googly-eyed wreath is easy to craft and affordable. First, paint an inexpensive foam wreath form white, then attach layers of white gumballs (or Ping-Pong balls) using hot glue. Finally, add small and large googly eyes to the wreath’s top layer.

These little mummies are not only cute; they're functional, too. Filled with candy, the upcycled tin cans make a kid-pleasing Halloween party favor or surprise for your favorite trick-or-treater.

Prep your front porch or entryway for the arrival of trick-or-treaters with the sweet aroma of candy-corn-filled hurricanes. To create them, place pillar candles inside clear glass hurricanes of different sizes, then fill each hurricane, roughly halfway, with candy corn. For safety, be sure to blow out the candle before it burns below the level of the candy.

Fill store-bought croissant dough with chopped candy bars (anything chocolate will do!) and crispy cooked bacon, and bake for a molten, decadent, salty-sweet treat.