Chocolate-Covered Bugs

These creepy-crawly candies are a blast to make with kids, especially around Halloween. Soft caramels get flattened and sandwiched around red licorice “legs," then coated in melted chocolate and decorated with sprinkles, sliced almonds, and whatever candy bits catch your eye.

No baking involved. The only heat is a couple minutes in the microwave to melt the chocolate chips. The rest is all hands-on assembly, which makes this a great activity for younger kids who want to help in the kitchen.

The key to a clean-looking bug? Seal those caramel edges tight. If the licorice legs aren’t firmly pressed between the two caramel halves, the chocolate slides off and you end up with a shapeless blob instead of an adorable bug.

Kitchen Tips

• Warm the caramels briefly in your hands before flattening. Cold caramels crack instead of molding smoothly.
• Melt chocolate in short bursts and stir between each one. Overheated chocolate seizes up and turns grainy.
• Work quickly once the chocolate is melted. It starts setting fast, so coat a few bugs at a time.
• Let the chocolate set completely on waxed paper before moving. A sheet pan in the fridge speeds this up to about 15 minutes.

Variations

• Use white chocolate for a spookier, ghostly look.
• Press pretzel stick pieces in for antennae.
• Try peanut butter chips instead of chocolate for a different flavor.