Making Candy, You Can

Can You Make Candy?



I have heard so many people say, “I can’t make candy” or “Wish I knew how to make candy” or “Candy making is a SPECIAL art” or “I wish I’d paid attention to my Grandmother (or Mom) when they were trying to teach me how to make candy”. I guess it’s because it looks complicated, but it isn’t REALLY. My hope is to take the mystery out of candy making, and/or give you some simple recipes. Some of these recipes are simple enough; EVERYONE will produce delicious candy and be the hit of the family.



In my next few blogs, I will be addressing the subjects of equipment, cooking methods, pit falls, and common problems with beginner candy making. Our daughter has made candy for years, as well as Peepaw’s Mom, and the two of them encourage me to try to expand my candy making skills. They both knew that I made a couple types of candy each year, and could expand it to cover many, many more types and flavors of candy.



So…the answer is YES, you can make candy…anyone can make candy! I hope you keep checking our blog for new input and HOPEFULLY some guidance on your candy making efforts. Let us know if you have tried any of the recipes or made any candy from our recipes!!

New Blog

Please take a look at our new Blog. It is specializing in Cookies. Free videos and Free Recipes. http://NannyAndPeepawsCookies.Blogspot.com

Nanny and Peepaws Cookies

Visit our new Blog. One in a series of blogs dedicated to the cooking, canning, and recipes from the Kitchen of Red and Becky Plank, also known as Nanny and Peepaw. This one will feature Cookies. http://NannyAndPeepawsCookies.Blogspot.com

Honey Coated Pecans

Honey Coated Pecans



4 cups shelled pecan halves

1 ¼ cups sugar

½ cup hot water

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch salt



Boil sugar, honey, and water until it forms a soft ball in cold water. Remove from heat, add vanilla and pinch salt. Add nuts and stir until mixture creams. Pour out on lightly greased cookie sheet. When cool enough to handle, break apart. Store in airtight container.

Pecan Clusters

Pecan Clusters



2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups milk chocolate chips

2 teaspoons instant coffee

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups pecan halves



Place both the semi-sweet and chocolate chips in a double boiler and melt until smooth. Add coffee and chopped pecans Mix until coffee and pecans are thoroughly mixed into chocolate. Arrange pecan halves on parchment paper in an X form (like the pedals of a flower) with small end of the pecan pointing to the center. Use a tablespoon to place one tablespoon of melted chocolate mixture in the center. Allow to cool for an hour.



Makes 26 clusters

Pecan Clusters

Caramel Recipe

Caramel Candy



2 cups sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup evaporated milk

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 cup butter

1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla



Grease a 12”X15” pan with butter. In a 2 quart saucepan, combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, whipping cream, and butter. Cook until sugar is dissolved and insert candy thermometer and cook (constantly stirring) until temperature reaches 250º. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan and spread until candy is a uniform thickness. Allow to cool completely. Cut into small squares and wrap individually in wax paper for storage.