Tips For Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Candy

Chocolate Fudge, Pralines, and Peanut Brittle Fast and Easy

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Oct 8, 2009 DeLene Sholes

Old-fashioned candy recipes may not be the easiest to make, but they are the best! Who can resist chocolate fudge, peanut brittle, and pralines?

Homemade candy was once a favorite Christmas gift. Neighbors walked from house to house swapping bags and tins of homemade goodies--a tradition that has all but disappeared in these days of crowded schedules of work, school, sports, and other obligations. Making candy took too much time, and sometimes failed when it hardened too fast or didn't harden at all. The good news is that some of these delicious treats have been updated so that they take little time and won't fail if proper precautions are taken. Yes! Now there are delicious candy recipes that can be made in the microwave in just a few minutes, and following these simple rules almost guarantee success.

How to Make Perfect Candy Every Time

  1. Measure ingredients exactly.
  2. Follow written directions exactly.
  3. Use a candy thermometer (outside the microwave) to verify readiness.
  4. Watch carefullythe first time you make candy and adjust the temperature level of your microwave if your candy seems to be cooking too fast.
  5. Make sure to use a microwavable bowl that is large enough for the recipe. In her cookbook, Toute de Suite a la Microwave, Jean K. Durkee specifies round or oval bowls that hold up to 5 quarts for pralines (p. 210). The fudge recipe below requires a bowl that holds 3 to 3 1/2 quarts.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge

This recipe is the same that many candy-makers used many years ago; it uses the same ingredients in the same proportions. The only difference is in the method used to cook it. When trying the recipe for the first time, stop the microwave, take the fudge out every two minutes and drop a small amount in ice water. It may be ready in less time than the recipe specifies. When the candy forms a soft ball when picked up, the fudge is ready for the next step. Fudge made this way once took an hour or more. Make it in the microwave in less than 30 minutes.

Pralines, Peanut Brittle, and Divinity

Recipes for these treats can be found in microwave cookbooks and online. The pralines will be the creamiest, the peanut brittle will be the tenderest, and the divinity will be--well--divine. These candies make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.

Tips for Making Perfect Microwave Candy

These candy recipes work quickly and well if these rules are followed.

  • Remember to measure ingredients carefully, preferably in metal cups and spoons, and follow directions to the letter.
  • A candy thermometer is a must for verifying readiness outside of the microwave.
  • Adjust the temperature to a lower setting if the candy seems to be cooking too fast.

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The copyright of the article Tips For Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Candy in Recipes is owned by DeLene Sholes. Permission to republish Tips For Making Perfect Old-Fashioned Candy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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