Moms Butter Crunch Candy Food

OLD-TIME BUTTER CRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• Line a 13x9-in. pan with foil; set aside. Using part of the butter, grease the sides of a large heavy saucepan. Add remaining butter to saucepan; melt over low heat. Add sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat and stir in almonds. Quickly pour into the prepared pan, spreading to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Carefully invert pan to remove candy in 1 piece; remove foil. , Melt half of the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl; spread over top of candy. Let cool. Turn candy over and repeat with remaining chocolate; cool. Break into 2-in. pieces. Store in an airtight container.

ALMOND BUTTER CRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• CANDY:.
• In a large saucepan melt butter; add sugar, corn syrup, and water.
• Cook stirring occasionally to hard-crack stage (300 degrees) on a candy thermometer--watch carefully after 280 degrees as it rises fast after this.
• Quickly stir in the coarsely chopped almonds.
• Spread in ungreased 9x13 pan.
• Cool thoroughly and turn out onto waxed paper.
• TOPPING:.
• Melt the chocolate and spread half on top of the candy.
• Sprinkle with half of the finely chopped almonds.
• Cover with wax paper and invert.
• Spread the other half of chocolate and sprinkle other half of nuts.
• If necessary chill in refrigerator till chocolate is firm.
• Crack in pieces.

MIXED NUT BUTTERCRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• To set up: Butter a baking sheet (about 10 by 12) and line the sheet with of parchment paper (allow excess paper at both ends). Grease paper and set sheet aside. Reserve any remaining melted butter for later. Line two more shallow baking sheets or trays with waxed paper for holding and chilling assembled candy and set them aside. Cut each stick of butter in half and place next to work surface, along with measured salt, baking soda, vanilla and coarsely chopped macadamia nuts. Place chopped chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set aside. Place a cup of hot water next to stove and put a pastry brush in water.
• To prepare toffee: Place a 2 1/2 quart heavy bottomed saucepan on the stove. Place water, sugar and corn syrup in the pan and stir gently to combine. Place pan over medium heat and as sugar dissolves, swirl pan gently. Let mixture come to a rolling boil and, once boiling and mixture is clear, don't stir or swirl pan anymore. If, while sugar is boiling, any sugar crystals cling to sides of pan, use moistened pastry brush to wash sides of the pan. Cook syrup until starts becoming a very light amber color. Lower heat and add butter, one half stick at a time, stirring very gently. (Only add additional butter after preceding piece has become melted and fully incorporated.) Once all the butter has been added, place candy thermometer into mixture, making sure that the bottom tip does not touch the bottom of the pan. Raise heat to medium and boil mixture until the temperature reads between 295 degrees F and 300 degrees F. Remove thermometer from pan and pan from stove and immediately stir in salt, baking soda, vanilla and macadamia nuts. (Quickly stick thermometer it warm water to aid in clean up.) Immediately, pour candy mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Brush the bottom of a long offset metal spatula (an icing spatula is perfect) or a knife with some melted butter. Spread the candy mixture out so that it is 1/4-inch thick. Use the knife to push the sides back into a rectangular shape as the mixture cools. Let the mixture set for a few minutes.
• To melt chocolate: While toffee firms up a bit, melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a skillet with 1 inch of hot but not simmering water (stirring constantly until smooth). Be careful not to allow any water to enter bowl of chocolate.
• To cut candy: While candy mixture is still warm and pliable, use a buttered pastry scraper to score the candy into 1 1/2 by 2inch rectangles. Let set further until the candy is firmer (5 minutes at room temperature). Score again through original cuts, making sure candy is in separate squares all the way through to the bottom. ( If stubborn, use your pastry scraper and mallet to knock through any sticky, tough spots. Hit the top (wooden part) of the scraper with a heavy mallet.)
• To fully assemble candy and chill: When chocolate is firm, pour melted chocolate over top of scored candy and, using a spatula, spread it out evenly. It's okay if the chocolate runs down into grooves in candy. Scatter 2 cups of the ground toasted nuts on top of the chocolate and press them into the chocolate. Reserve the remaining 1 cup of nuts. Lift one end of the parchment paper so the first line of cut candy bends and separates from the next line. Carefully lift one piece off at a time. Sprinkle with some additional nuts to coat any exposed chocolate. Place candy on prepared baking sheets lined with waxed paper (in a single layer) and refrigerate (covered with plastic wrap) so chocolate will harden. Once set, place candy in an airtight tin, separated in layers with waxed paper. Although these candies may be stored at room temperature, to best preserve fresh flavor, store them in the refrigerator

MIXED-NUT BUTTER-CRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• To set up: Butter a baking sheet (about 10 by 12) and line the sheet with of parchment paper (allow excess paper at both ends). Grease paper and set sheet aside. Reserve any remaining melted butter for later. Line two more shallow baking sheets or trays with waxed paper for holding and chilling assembled candy and set them aside. Cut each stick of butter in half and place next to work surface, along with measured salt, baking soda, vanilla and coarsely chopped macadamia nuts. Place chopped chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set aside. Place a cup of hot water next to stove and put a pastry brush in water.
• To prepare toffee: Place a 2 1/2-quart heavy bottomed saucepan on the stove. Place water, sugar and corn syrup in the pan and stir gently to combine. Place pan over medium heat and as sugar dissolves, swirl pan gently. Let mixture come to a rolling boil and, once boiling and mixture is clear, don't stir or swirl pan anymore. If, while sugar is boiling, any sugar crystals cling to sides of pan, use moistened pastry brush to wash sides of the pan. Cook syrup until starts becoming a very light amber color. Lower heat and add butter, one half stick at a time, stirring very gently. (Only add additional butter after preceding piece has become melted and fully incorporated.) Once all the butter has been added, place candy thermometer into mixture, making sure that the bottom tip does not touch the bottom of the pan. Raise heat to medium and boil mixture until the temperature reads between 295 degrees F and 300 degrees F. Remove thermometer from pan and pan from stove and immediately stir in salt, baking soda, vanilla and macadamia nuts. (Quickly stick thermometer it warm water to aid in clean up.) Immediately, pour candy mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Brush the bottom of a long off-set metal spatula (an icing spatula is perfect) or a knife with some melted butter. Spread the candy mixture out so that it is 1/4-inch thick. Use the knife to push the sides back into a rectangular shape as the mixture cools. Let the mixture set for a few minutes.
• To melt chocolate: While toffee firms up a bit, melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a skillet with 1-inch of hot but not simmering water (stirring constantly until smooth). Be careful not to allow any water to enter bowl of chocolate.
• To cut candy: While candy mixture is still warm and pliable, use a buttered pastry scraper to score the candy into 1 1/2 by 2-inch rectangles. Let set further until the candy is firmer (5 minutes at room temperature). Score again through original cuts, making sure candy is in separate squares all the way through to the bottom. ( If stubborn, use your pastry scraper and mallet to knock through any sticky, tough spots. Hit the top (wooden part) of the scraper with a heavy mallet.)
• To fully assemble candy and chill: When chocolate is firm, pour melted chocolate over top of scored candy and, using a spatula, spread it out evenly. It's okay if the chocolate runs down into grooves in candy. Scatter 2 cups of the ground toasted nuts on top of the chocolate and press them into the chocolate. Reserve the remaining 1 cup of nuts. Lift one end of the parchment paper so the first line of cut candy bends and separates from the next line. Carefully lift one piece off at a time. Sprinkle with some additional nuts to coat any exposed chocolate. Place candy on prepared baking sheets lined with waxed paper (in a single layer) and refrigerate (covered with plastic wrap) so chocolate will harden. Once set, place candy in an air-tight tin, separated in layers with waxed paper. Although these candies may be stored at room temperature, to best preserve fresh flavor, store them in the refrigerator.

BUTTERCRUNCH TOFFEE

Steps:

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
• Measure the butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat and swirl the pan to coat the sides with melted butter (this will help prevent the sugar from crystallizing as it cooks). Add the sugar and water and bring up to a boil still over medium high heat while stirring often with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly until the mixture reaches 300ºF (150ºC) on a candy thermometer (it will only be a pale amber colour, not caramel-coloured). Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt, then quickly pour the mixture onto the prepared tray (do not spread it around). Let this set until completely cooled, about 2 hours.
• Before coating it with chocolate, gently wipe the top surface of the buttercrunch with a paper towel, to take away any excess oil (this could prevent the chocolate from sticking properly). Have ready a second baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• To temper the chocolate, melt 9 oz (270 g) of the chocolate in a metal bowl placed over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring until it has melted and is within a temperature between 113-122ºF (45-50ºC). If the chocolate gets warmer than this, then you need to let it cool below 113ºF (45ºC) and re-warm. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the remaining 3 oz (90 g) of chocolate and stir to melt, continuing to stir until the chocolate reaches a temperature of 82ºF (28ºC). Return the bowl to the water bath and stir to warm up to between 88-90ºF (31-32ºC) - this doesn't take long. At this point the chocolate is ready for using and will set at room temperature with a nice satin finish.
• Pour half of the chocolate over the buttercruch and spread to cover it evenly and as close to the edges as possible. Sprinkle the chocolate with half of the almonds and a light sprinkling of sea salt. Once set (about 3 minutes), place the second parchment-lined baking tray over the buttercrunch and carefully invert - now the chocolate-coated side should be on the bottom, on the second tray. Peel away the parchment from the buttercrunch and wipe this side with a paper towel. Pour the remaining half of the chocolate over this side and spread evenly, finishing with a sprinkling of the remaining almonds and a little sea salt. Once the chocolate is almost set, pop the tray into the fridge for just 3-4 minutes - this "cures" or sets the chocolate. After this time, remove the chocolate, and it can be cracked into pieces and stored in an airtight container at room temperature (out of direct sunlight).

OLD-FASHIONED BUTTER CRUNCH

Steps:

• To make the butter crunch mixture, melt the butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, stir in almonds, and pour out into prepared pan, spreading the mixture with the back of a spoon to fill the pan. Before the butter crunch hardens, but when it is firm enough to handle, turn it out onto a large parchment-covered cutting board and peel away the foil. Allow the butter crunch to cool completely. To finish the butter crunch, wipe the top surface of the candy with a damp paper towel to remove excess butter and allow to dry a few minutes. Have another cutting board or the back of a jelly-roll pan ready to turn the candy over onto. Use a small offset metal icing spatula to spread half the tempered chocolate quickly over the butter crunch. Scatter half the chopped almonds over the chocolate. Cover this finished surface with a piece of parchment paper or foil and place another cutting board or the back of a large jelly-roll pan. Remove top board and paper and quickly spread with remaining tempered chocolate and scatter on remaining almonds (it isn't necessary to wipe the second side because it wasn't against a buttered surface). Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set chocolate. Break the butter crunch into 2-inch pieces. Store candy in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting cover and keep at a cool room temperature for up to a week.

BUTTER ALMOND CRUNCH

Steps:

• Combine almonds and coconut.
• Spread in a thin layer over bottom of a buttered 13 x 9-inch pan.
• Melt butter or margine in a saucepan.
• Stir in the rest of the ingredients.
• Cook, without stirring until mixture comes to soft crack stage, 290 degrees F.
• Remove from heat and pour in a thin stream evenly over almonds and coconut.
• Cool.
• Break into pieces.
• Store in an air-tight container.

ALMOND BUTTERCRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• In a saucepan over low heat, combine the butter, sugar and 1 cup chopped almonds. Stir constantly until mixture boils, then do not stir or shake. Heat to 300 to 310°F (149 to 154°C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.
• Pour onto a large buttered cookie sheet. Immediately press chocolate chips onto the hot candy. As the chocolate melts, spread it into a coating over the candy.
• Sprinkle finely chopped almonds over the top; cool, and break into uneven pieces.

BUTTERSCOTCH CRUNCH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Lightly grease several baking sheets or coat with nonstick spray.
• Line the sheets with aluminum foil.
• Heavily grease the foil or coat with nonstick spray.
• Put the candy in a heavy duty bag and hit with a kitchen mallet or heavy spoon, pound the candy until finely cracked, some 1/8-1/4" bits can remain, but most should be very fine.
• In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking soda and salt, set aside. In a large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended and fluffy.add the egg and vanilla and beat until evenly incorporated.
• Add the candy pieces and beat for 1 minute more.
• Beat or stir in flour mixture and nuts just until evenly incorporated.
• Drop the dough onto the baking sheets by heaping measuring tablespoonfuls, spacing about 3" apart.
• Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, in the upper third of the oven for 8-11 minutes or golden on top and slightly darker at edges, be careful not to overbake.Reverse the sheet from front to back halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
• Transfer the sheets to wire rack and let stand until completely cooled. .very carefully peel the cookies from the foil. Store in a single layer with wax paper in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 2 months.

MOM'S PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH COOKIES

Steps:

• Oven@ 350 Crush cereal into shreds.
• Set aside.
• Mix flour, soda and salt; set aside.
• Mix rest of ingredients.
• Beat until light and fluffy.
• Fold in dry ingredients; mix well.
• Drop by tablespoons full onto ungreased cookie sheat.
• Criss-cross flatten with a fork.
• Bake for 14 minutes.