Candy thermometers and toffee pans come out of the cupboard this time of year as even those of us without much experience at candy-making give it a try in the name of holiday spirit and sugar. Homemade candy can sound very intimidating, but there are many easy ways in, with gradual steps between no-cook fudge and spun-sugar masterpieces.
The photo is of Crunchy Mint Chocolate Fudge. It's an entry-level recipe for sure; it doesn't even require real cooking. You just melt condensed milk and chocolate chips together and stir in crushed peppermint candies.
Have you ever made homemade candy? Any plans to attempt something new this year?
Does anyone know what those "clear mint candies" are on the top?
view sally599's profile
I've dabbled in the candy department a few years back, but this Christmas I'm going to be diving headfirst into the world of homemade, edible gifts. Toffee, fudge, glass candy and chocolates are in the plans for this year. Fingers crossed!
view Transient J's profile
Toffee, fudge, glass candy, and delicious Korean sesame twisty things that are, sadly, not actually worth all the work.
view mjoe's profile
This year I'm making caramels, marshmallows and chocolate covered pretzels.
view mizrobot's profile
I just tried my hand at caramels today. First try and while it wasn't good enough to give as a gift (which is what I wanted), the flavor was awesome. A bit on the hard side so now I know to take it off the heat sooner. 250 is too hot so I'm shooting for 245 next time. And some nuts. I used organic cream and good quality Irish butter and you can totally tell in the finished product. It may be too hard to give as a gift as is, but I'm going to break it up into tiny pieces and use it as toffee in cookies and whatnot.
Oh! I tried the rolo pretzel appetizers and they rock! So easy and tasty.
view rose's profile
I'm about to try making David Lebovitz's buttercrunch toffee this year. ::Nervous::::
I also want to make Indian candy called chikki, with peanuts and jaggery (raw sugar).
view nupur's profile
Anyone have a recommendation for candy recipes/cookbooks? I know how to temper chocolate and make molded chocolates, but I need good recipies for some truffles,caramel (soft), and mint meltaways (you know, a minty chocolate center enrobed in dark chocolate).
Any advice is welcome... as are taste testers in the Boston area...
cheers!
~Anastasia
view anastasia's profile
Toffee, fudge, glazed nuts, caramel corn, fondant, truffles, molded chocolate... I like my candy thermometer!
view J. Cipa's profile
Oh, forgot to mention-- old fashioned fudge is the way to go. Cream, unsweetened butter, sugar, unsweetened chocolate, corn syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt-- much better than the melter chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk concoctions.
view J. Cipa's profile
I make my grandpa's pecan candy for everyone in my family because only a few of us know how to make it. And it puts all the pecans from my parents back yard to good use. It's kind of like a dulce de leche praline, soo good!
view EastVillageAmy's profile