Buttermilk Candy Food

BUTTERMILK CANDY

Steps:

• Put all ingredients except vanilla and nuts into pan and cook, stirring constantly until soft ball forms when dropped in cold water.
• Add vanilla and nuts and beat till creamy.
• When cool, cut into squares.
• Also makes good frosting for spice cake.

BUTTERMILK PRALINES

Steps:

• Use your favorite pot that is large enough to prevent boilovers as the candy does need a lot of room to bubble up.
• Pour the buttermilk, sugar, and baking soda in the pot.
• Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Place the pot on low to medium burner and let the candy boil to a soft ball stage, stirring constantly all the while.
• The mixture will turn a brownish color but don't worry; it's supposed to.
• Once the soft ball stage is reached,then add two cups pecan halves, a teaspoon of vanilla and butter.
• Beat the mixture until it becomes glossy and starts to get very thick.
• Quickly spoon it onto greased wax paper making little patties.
• If you like and have time before the candy hardens, you can turn the pecan halves right side up which makes the patties look prettier.
• Let the candy completely cool before removing it from the paper.
• Should the mixture harden before you've had time to get it all onto the paper, return it to the heat for a few seconds, or until it is again of the right consistency.

BUTTERMILK FUDGE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients EXCEPT nuts in heavy saucepan.
• Cook to soft ball stage on a candy thermometer, then 1 more notch.
• Remove from heat and add nuts.
• Stir for 2 minutes.
• Pour into greased 8x8 dish.

BUTTERMILK PRALINES

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, buttermilk and baking soda. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 210°. , Stir in butter and pecans; cook until thermometer reads 230°. Remove from the heat; add vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture loses its gloss and begins to set, about 8 minutes. Quickly drop by teaspoonfuls onto foil-lined baking sheets. Cool.

BUTTERMILK FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter sides of a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
• Using a pastry brush dipped in hot water, wash down any sugar crystals on side of pan.
• attach candy thermometer to pan, making sure thermometer does not touch bottom of pan.
• Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Do not stir while syrup is boiling.
• Continue t cook until syrup reaches softball stage (Approximately 234 to 240 degrees).
• Test about ½-teaspoon syrup in ice water. Syrup should easily form a ball in ice water but flatten when held in your hand.
• Remove from heat: add vanilla. DO NOT STIR until syrup cools to approximately 200 degrees.
• Using a medium speed of an electric mixer, beat fudge until thickened and no longer glossy.
• Stir in nuts.
• Pour into a buttered 8- inch square pan. Cool completely.
• Cut into 1-inch squares.
• Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.