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Candy Bugs Recipe is a fun no bake Halloween craft and sweet treat for the kids. This bug shaped candy is easy to make then, you can decorate them however you like. They’re also fun for springtime treats, like for Easter.
You’re guaranteed to get smiles when you make these adorable creepy crawlies. You’ll also have lots of fun making these Acorn Donut Holes.
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more adorable fun
And another fun project, learn how to make rock candy.
How to
Really, this recipe is all about having fun making these cute little bugs. Make them as cute or creepy as you like. Give them heads, eyes, wings, stingers, fangs, bodies, bumps, stripes, whatever you can dream up.
The full printable recipe ingredients and instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can find important tips and tricks in the post.
In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together with a fork, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Mixture will be dry.
Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds to soften the dough, and knead mixture with your hands until it is smooth and easy to handle.
You can also add more evaporated milk, but only add a few drops at a time.
decorate
The candy body mixture is designed to dry out and keep its shape, so keep it covered with plastic wrap as you create bugs.
Shape the dough into insect shapes and decorate with small candies or mixed nuts. Try using pretzels, sprinkles, M&Ms, candy eyes, jelly beans, food coloring, and edible glitter to see what different things you can make.
If the mixture dries out pop it back in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften it. You can also add more evaporated milk, but only add a few drops at a time.
Icing glue
You’ll want to press some larger candies or nuts directly into the dough, but use the Icing Glue or melted candy melts as glue to “glue” most of the decorations onto the bugs. I used white candy melts that I melted in the microwave for some of the “glue” as well as the icing. Melted white chocolate or milk chocolate would also work.
Mix icing ingredients together in a small bowl until the consistency is similar to that of a paste.
Use a toothpick to add the glue to the bugs. Or, place the icing in a ziptop bag and cut a tiny corner of the plastic bag off to pipe the “glue” onto the bugs.
If the icing glue dries out as you work with it, add a couple drops of water and stir it in. Just like the bug bodies, the icing will dry and set up over time.
You could even give each kid their own bowl of “glue” to work with.
Storage
Keep bugs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bugs can be frozen for longer storage.
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Recipe
Candy Bugs Recipe
Ingredients
Candy
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- assorted small candies and mixed nuts
Icing glue
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
Candy bug bodies
- In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together with a fork, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Mixture will be dry.
- Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds to soften the dough, and knead mixture with your hands until it is smooth and easy to handle.
- Keep the dough covered with plastic wrap as you create bugs. It’s designed to dry out and keep its shape, so keep it covered with plastic wrap as you work.
- Shape the dough into insect shapes and decorate with small candies or mixed nuts.
- You can press some candies directly into the dough, but use the Icing Glue or melted candy melts as glue as needed.
- If the mixture dries out pop it back in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften it. You can also add more evaporated milk, but only add a few drops at a time.
Icing glue
- Mix together in a small bowl until the consistency is similar to that of a paste.
- Use a toothpick to add the glue to the bugs.
- If the icing glue dries out as you work with it, add a couple drops of water and stir it in. Just like the bug bodies, the icing will dry and set up over time.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Debi
These bugs were so much fun to make. Grab all your sprinkles, sparkles, and candy eyes and get creative. Make them to look like real bugs or fancy creations. I hope you love this project as much as we did. Debi, author, Life Currents