My Favorite Candy Recipes

Maybe some of you candy makers would enjoy a few of my favorite candy recipes for Christmas. 

---"Love's" Divinity

In 2-quart pan, mix together

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 cup white Karo syrup

Dash of salt

Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. 

Continue cooking and boil, stirring often,

until it forms a hard ball in cold water.

Meanwhile, while it's cooking, 

beat 2 egg white until very stiff, and transfer to large mixer bowl.

This is a good time to put wax paper on cookie sheet,

and get dipping spoon and knife ready too.

When syrup makes hard ball in cold water,

remove from heat and add slowly to egg whites,

beating constantly at full speed until candy begins to thicken.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, and continue beating

until it begins to lose its gloss and holds its shape.

Remove from mixer; add 3/4 cups chopped walnuts (or pecans),

and beat with wooden spoon until

it can be quickly dipped onto wax paper. 

Hint:  Place wax paper on cookie sheets before beating begins

so it will be ready;

be sure to have your spoon and knife ready to dip quickly

or it will set up in mixing bowl before you finish.

Cookie sheets make it easier to move out of your way when you finish.

I usually get about 50 beautifully swirled pieces.

Store in tight container;

if they last long enough to get sticky in a few days,

loosen the lid and give them a little air for a couple of hours,

then re-seal.

This recipe takes about 20 minutes, start to finish!

So hurry!

---"Love's" Old Fashioned Fudge

In 2-quart saucepan, mix together

2 cups granulated sugar

1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk

2 squares semi-sweet chocolate

3 tablespoons white Karo syrup

Dash of salt

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly,

until sugar dissolves and chocolate melts. 

Continue cooking, stirring often, until it comes to a full boil.

Do NOT stir again after it is boiling.

Cook until it forms a soft boil in cold water.

(Reduce heat a little if necessary.)

Remove from heat; add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

DO NOT STIR UNTIL COOLED TO LUKEWARM

or  until you can hold your hand on bottom of pan.

Then beat until it thickens and begins to lose its gloss. 

Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts if desired, and pour into buttered pan.  

Cut into squares as soon as it sets up.

HINT:  If you wait too long to cut, it may crack instead.

After cutting, cover pan with plastic wrap

for a couple of hours to mellow.  

Then store tightly; it lasts for several days (if you hide it!). 

(I like mine "smoooooth", without nuts!)

---"Love's" Peanut Butter Balls 

Mix well together in large mixing bowl

1 pound box powdered sugar

1 cup smooth peanut butter

2 sticks margarine, melted

Chill in refrigerator until very firm.

Roll into balls, about 1 teaspoon each.

Chill again until very firm.

Melt white dipping chocolate in double boiler, and dip balls. 

Lay out on waxed paper on cookie sheets to cool.

Store in tight container; they keep well several days.

HINT:  Brown dipping chocolate is good too!

Ambrosia brand chocolate from HEB grocery

works best for me for this candy.

I use toothpicks to dip, and then drizzle the hole with more chocolate.

This recipe makes a lot. 

---"Love's" Easy Pecan Pralines

Mix together in 2-quart pan

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk (not a full small can!)

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to a rolling boil.

Add 4 tablespoons butter and 1 1/2 cups broken pecans.

Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat; add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Beat by hand vigorously immediately

until firm enough to hold shape.

Dip quickly by teaspoon onto waxed paper on cookie sheet.  

Makes about 40-45 beautiful creamy pralines.

Store tightly; they keep well for several days. 

If they get sticky in a few days, give them some air!

HINT:  Keep them hidden if you want to save them for later!

My fireman buddies fight over them!

The fire chief refused to share his!

Unfortunately, I've not been able to stand long enough this Christmas

 to make as much candy as I usually do,

so I thought I'd just share my special recipes.

Hope you try them; I know you will enjoy the candy if you do!

Wish I had some made so I could take pictures;
they all turn out beautifully!

ENJOY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

---"Love"