Fondant Candy Food

FONDANT

Steps:

• In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage, between 234 and 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Pour the mixture over a dampened marble slab. Sprinkle it with a little water to prevent a crust from forming and leave to cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a triangular scraper work the sugar syrup scraping it from the slab and turning the sides to the center. Alternatively, work the fondant in an electric mixer with a dough hook. Work vigorously particularly when the fondant starts to thicken and become creamy. After 3 to 5 minutes it will suddenly become stiff. Break off one piece of fondant at a time and work it by pinching it hard in your fingers until pliable and smooth. Press all the pieces of pliable fondant together and knead in any flavoring or coloring. Pack into an airtight container and leave in the refrigerator or a cool place at least 1 hour, preferably 1 day to mellow.

MARSHMALLOW FONDANT

Steps:

• Combine the marshmallows and 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add about three-quarters of the sifted confectioners' sugar into the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Once the mixture becomes too stiff to stir, grease your counter and hands with shortening (or wear greased plastic, disposable gloves) and dump the mixture onto the counter. Knead, adding the remaining quarter of confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, until the fondant is very smooth, not sticky and holds its shape into a ball without relaxing. Use right away or grease it lightly with additional shortening, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight plastic bag or container at room temperature for up to several days.

FONDANT CANDY

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a saucepan and boil, rather slowly, to 236F on a candy thermometer or until mixture reaches soft-ball stage.
• Remove from heat to stop boiling; brush down sugar crystals with a dampened pastry brush (this is the important first step to prevent candy from being hard, grainy or sugary).
• Pour the hot candy at once onto a platter which has been lightly dampened with cold water (to help prevent sticking) and allow it to cool to lukewarm (about 110F) without disturbing.
• It will take about an hour at room temperature for fondant to cool sufficiently.
• Beat hard until fondant loses it's transparency and becomes white and opaque.
• Stop beating and knead with the hands until there are no lumps.
• When fondant is smooth, place in a tightly covered jar and it will keep for a long time.
• Fondant becomes more creamy as it stands, if covered tightly. If not covered, it dries out.
• Let stand at least 24 hours before using, for best flavor.

ALICE'S FONDANT FILLING FOR CHOCOLATES

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in heavy saucepan. Boil until it reaches a soft ball stage. Pour into buttered dish to cool.
• After mixture is cooled, pour on clean surface and beat with wooden paddles until light and airy. Just as mixture "turns" mix in flavoring until thoroughly blended inches.
• Refrigerate to cool completely. Form into balls. Dip in desired chocolate.
• Variations:.
• Peppermint (peppermint extract to taste).
• Maple Walnut (maple flavoring to taste and finely chopped walnuts).
• Orange (orange extract to taste--a few drops to 1/2 teaspoon).
• Cherry (Maraschino cherries drained and quartered--pat dry).
• Cherry-almond (as above but add almond extract to taste).
• Almond (almond extract with a sliced almond on top of finished chocolate).
• Coconut (fine coconut plus vanilla).
• Rum (rum extract plus 1-2 teaspoons butter).

COCONUT ALMOND FONDANT CANDY

Steps:

• Mix butter and sugar.
• Add milk and vanilla.
• Mix in nuts and coconut.
• Shape into 1 inch balls and dip in melted chocolate chips.

UNCOOKED FONDANT

Steps:

• Blend butter, syrup, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Add confectioners sugar all at once.
• Mix together, first with a spoon, then with hands, kneading well.
• Turn out onto a board and continue kneading until mixture is well blended and smooth.
• Store wrapped in a tight container in a cool place.
• Makes about 25 centers.

BUTTERCREAM FONDANT FOR CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• 1. Combine butter, sugar, milk, cream and cream of tartar in a large, heavy saucepan.
• 2. Stir until sugar is all moistened.
• 3. Place on high heat and stir to make sure everything is combined.
• 4. Bring to a boil and DO NOT STIR after it begins to boil.
• 5. Gently lower thermometer into boiling syrup.
• 6. Periodically use a brush of water to go around the sides of pan to guide sugar crystals into syrup.
• 7. Continue to cook without stirring to 236°F.
• 8. Wipe off a large, cold marble slab with water (do not dry) and pour fondant on as soon as it hits 236°F.
• 9. Let it cool a few minutes, make sure heat is no longer coming off.
• 10. When the dents made by pressing your finger into it remain without filling immediately, it is ready to work.
• 11. Work lukewarm with large paddle or spatula into a ball, then spread thin and repeat. Incorporate marshmallow cream at this time.
• 12. When fondant starts to hold its shape, start kneading with your hands. It will become crumbly but keep working until it is smooth.
• 13. Once it is smooth, cover with plastic wrap and put into an airtight bowl in the fridge. It is best if kept for 1-2 weeks before flavoring.

FONDANT-FILLED CANDIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine milk and corn syrup. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar (mixture will be stiff). Divide into two portions. , For peppermint patties, add the peppermint oil to one portion. Shape 1/2 teaspoonfuls into balls and flatten. In a microwave, melt 1 pound of candy coating, stir until smooth. With a slotted spoon, dip peppermint disks in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container., For chocolate-covered cherries, drain cherries, reserving 3 tablespoons of juice; set cherries aside. Combine juice with remaining fondant. Add additional confectioners' sugar if necessary to form a stiff mixture. , Roll into 1-in. balls; flatten to 2-in. circles. Wrap each circle around a cherry and carefully shape into a ball. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely. Melt remaining candy coating; dip cherries in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks for candy to ripen and center to soften.