Barley Candy Food

BARLEY CANDY

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook over high heat until mixture boils and reaches 300 degrees F. Remove from heat and allow to stand until bubbles have settled. If desired, add 1 to 2 drops of a flavored oil (lemon, peppermint, orange, spearmint) and 1 drop of food coloring. Note: work quickly and limit stirring. As recipe begins to cool it will solidify rapidly.
• Pour into candy molds sprayed with cooking spray. Keep mixture warm on a double boiler. If mixture begins to harden, and becomes thick, it may be warmed in a microwave for a few seconds. When candies are cooled, store in an airtight container or pack individually.
• Hard candy molds may be purchased at most cake decorating and party supply stores.

CLEAR TOY CANDY [PA DUTCH TRADITIONAL]

Steps:

• I try to use a ratio of two parts solid to one part liquid, but for your first batch use more liquid. It just takes longer and the liquid must boil off before it will reach the proper temperature so err on the side of too much liquid at first.
• In a pan put 1/2 cup of clear corn syrup, one cup of sugar, and put 1/2 cup of water on top of the sugar and make sure the sugar is thoroughly moistened. Stick in the candy thermometer and put the mixture on the stove.
• DO NOT STIR!
• Heat to 310 degrees and if you have the sugar thoroughly moistened it will look like boiling glass.
• If you have too much sugar for the liquid you used it will not be clear.
• When the mixture reaches 300-310 degrees, pour into molds generously coated with olive oil (any oil will work).
• Hold the molds together with heavy duty rubber bands and place the greased molds on a cookie sheet.
• If you don't have any molds, you can oil a cake pan and pour the mixture about 1/4 inch deep and score with a knife as it hardens so it will break into bite size pieces.
• Its takes about five minutes or so to harden in the molds and as it does I add sticks to make it easier to eat. I wrap them in small plastic bags which you can get wherever they sell candy making supplies.
• Remember you can't mess this up - if you put in too much corn syrup or water it will just take longer to reach the desired temperature. After your first batch, you'll never measure anything again.
• I should have pointed out that this candy seems to be one of the most traditional Pa. Dutch Christmas candies.
• NOTE the time is way off. This is going to vary depending on a lot of factors.

BARLEY SUGAR

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar in water then add rind of the lemon and cream of tartar.
• Cook to 240°F or soft-ball stage.
• Remove lemon rind.
• Add strained juice from the lemon and cook to 310°F or hard-crack stage being careful that syrup does not burn.
• Pour into a buttered tray.
• When it starts to set cut into strips.
• When cool enough to handle, twist strips and place in fridge to set.