Candy makers check in!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Hello everyone....

I've been away from DU for awhile cause I was so over politics after the last election, but i sure have missed talking food with you guys!

Recently i have been making old fashioned candies, taffy, caramels and learning to work wirh real chocolate. I make them with mj extracts for my son and a few other medical mj patients.

I wanna trade some recipes and discuss how fun making candy is

[alcina]

1. Candy. Yum.

I used to own a candy shop and really loved making sweets. But after years of exposure, I developed an allergy to cane sugar of all things. Can't even be around the stuff now without taking an antihistamine. Go figure.

Anyway, I'll look around for my seafoam (aka honeycomb) recipe. It's really really good, especially coated in a dark milk chocolate. Sigh. Wish I could have some now....

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. I'd love to try it!

Just made tootsie rolls, better than the originals cause i added enough chocolate to actually taste it lol

[Freddie]

7. Recipe please!

I love Tootsie Rolls, that sounds great! Thanks!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. will do...

When i get to a proper keyboard.. Tablet typing takes too long lol

[greymouse]

16. tootsie rolls

good way to remove dental caps.

[bettyellen]

3. I am really good at brittles, I use butter and a splash of whiskey or rum and prefer pecans, almonds

or cashews. It all comes down to timing it perfectly, which is watching for sudden changes in the bubbling, scent and color.
Have you ever tried the Genin caramel recipe? I would love to learn how to do those. Also the beer and pretzel caramels from Liddabit. I have their book- if you'd like any of their recipes- just ask!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. i started with a candy thermometer

Now i could probably use just the water test, but i love my fancy $15 new instant digital!

Is that french caramel? Would love to learn a few fancier vesions... Also still looking for a good gumdrop recipe..

[bettyellen]

5. Yes, Jacques Genin has a cafe and candy store in Paris with supposedly the best caramels in the

world. There were threads trying to replicate his recipes on E-Gullet, they require something like glucose I think for texture?
I've never done caramels at all, but am dying to try them! The passionfruit floor ones are supposed to be incredible. Let me know if you need help finding a link.

Liddabit's book has no gumdrops, but I have a Time Life volume of Good Cooks, Candy that has a gumdrop recipe, if you would like? Liddabit has some really creative recipes, they rework gourmet versions of Snickers and other candy bars that are pretty darned good.

I think I have broken every thermometer I have! Brittle turns so fast that you just have to be ready for that moment, you get a little tinge of gold and a slightly burnt aroma and it is ready for the baking soda! I make sure I sprinkle a bit of sea salt on it as it sets up. So good.

[bettyellen]

6. here is a link to discussion about the Genin caramel recipes.

https://forums.egullet.org/topic/129709-jacques-genin-caramels/?page=6

[Lars39]

9. Living vicariously here...

I have braces. :-#
Sounds like wonderful stuff.

[bettyellen]

10. Liddabit DOES have gumdrops and here you go:

Goody Goody Gumdrops (makes 80)

you need two baking sheets med and large 9x13" and 13"x18" and cooking spray

1 1/2 cups apple juice
5 TB unflavored powdered gelatin
4 cups sugar
appx 1-1 1/2 teaspoon fruit flavoring (to taste)
food coloring if desired

2 cups sugar for dredging

Spray smaller sheet pan.
add gelatin to apple juice in a small bowl, let sit for 5-6 min
combine 4 c sugar and juice mixture and bring to a boil- medium heat
reduce heat to med/low and cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
remove syrup from heat.
Add coloring and 1 teaspoon flavor, test a small bit by dropping in cold water, adding more flavor to test.

pour into smaller pan, cool for 2 hours.
cut into squares, dredge n sugar and dry an additional two hours on large pan.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

13. thanks! nt

[bettyellen]

15. There is also a Fruit Jellies recipe with Agar?

Not even sure what that is!

[The empressof all]

11. We usually do it at Christmas

Our usual repertoire includes

Coconut bonbons
peppermint bark made with both white and dark chocolate
Caramels
and a chocolate pretzel bark.

Our dipped bonbons and caramels are not the most attractive but they are still yummy. Hand dipping is an art that requires teflon hands

Have you used cannabis butter in your candy?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. i use the extracts

So you taste it, but theres no chlorophyll so it actually tastes good! I make the candy like usual, then add the shatter after it cools below 220. It melts and mixes with the warn candy beautifully.

[bettyellen]

14. Do you fat wash the butter?