This Classic Movie Theater Snack Also Makes An Unexpected Baked Good Mix-In

A great movie theater candy is easy to eat, has a good texture (whether a satisfying crunch or a pleasant chew), and can be poured into your hand or pulled out of a box in the dark without making a mess. Some would say it even needs to taste good when mixed with that irresistible movie theater popcorn. Milk Duds check all of those boxes. The chocolate-covered discs of caramel may not be the top movie candy choice in any American state, but they are a solid, sweet pick nonetheless. And these treats don't need to be reserved for movie nights — they actually make a wonderful mix-in for baked goods, too.

When stirred into cookie dough, brownie batter, or cupcake batter, Milk Duds melt into puddles of buttery caramel goo surrounded by ribbons of milk chocolate. They add an extra layer of indulgence to anything you put them in, though they pair especially well with certain flavors and recipes. Because they are caramel-based, they become quite sticky once melted, so it's a good idea to line your baking sheets and pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easier cleanup.

Milk Duds shine in cookie recipes. Classic chocolate chip, peanut butter, double chocolate, and snickerdoodle varieties are particularly good choices. In any recipe that calls for chocolate chips, you can either add the Milk Duds along with the chips or replace them altogether with the candies. If you want to prevent the melted caramels from overwhelming your cookies, chop them into smaller pieces before mixing them into the dough — this is easier if you partially freeze the Milk Duds first. For snickerdoodles (or any cookie recipe where you shape round balls of dough), you can press a single Milk Dud right into the center of each portion for a delicious surprise when someone takes a bite.

The same concept works beautifully for cupcakes — just drop a candy or two into the batter before baking. A chocolate or salted caramel frosting on top would complement the flavors perfectly. Ultra-fudgy brownies gain extra chew with Milk Duds mixed throughout, and even Rice Krispie treats benefit from their addition. You can melt some of the candies to blend into the marshmallow mixture, then stir in chopped pieces for texture. For the ultimate movie-inspired dessert, make chewy popcorn balls studded with Milk Duds — it's everything you love about movie snacks rolled into one sweet and salty treat.