Sweet Apricot Candy Food

APRICOT LEATHER

Steps:

• Place apricots in a small saucepan and cover with water by 1 in. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or until soft. Drain and cool slightly., Place apricots in a blender; add sugar. Cover and process until smooth. Add extract., Preheat oven to 175°. Line two 15x10x1-in. baking pans with silicone baking mats. Spoon half of apricot mixture onto each baking mat, spreading to form a 12x8-in. rectangle; repeat with remaining fruit. Bake 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until almost dry to the touch. Cool completely on a wire rack., Transfer to a cutting board; dust both sides with confectioners' sugar. Cut into 1/2x8-in. strips; roll up. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

APRICOT WHITE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; grease foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter., In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, sour cream and remaining butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage), about 5-1/2 minutes. Remove from heat., Stir in chocolate until melted. Stir in marshmallow creme until blended. Stir in apricots and walnuts. Immediately spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares.

WHITE CHOCOLATE APRICOT AND COCONUT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Mix apricots, coconut and condensed milk in a small bowl until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Using your hands, roll teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on a tray lined with baking paper. Refrigerate again for 15 minutes.
• Combine oil and chocolate in a small heatproof microwave container and microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted. Stir well.
• Using a fork, dip one ball of the apricot mixture into the chocolate mixture to coat all over and place again on the lined tray.
• Repeat with remaining balls and chocolate mixture.
• Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until chocolate has set.

CHOCOLATY APRICOTS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Put the chocolate chips in a heatproof glass bowl and place it over a pan of simmering water. Heat the chocolate, stirring, until completely melted and smooth.
• Dip each apricot one-half to three-quarters of the way into the chocolate, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet to set.