Avas Boston Cream Candy Recipe 55

BOSTON CREAM CANDY

Steps:

• Butter an 8x8-inch baking pan.
• Line the pan with a piece of parchment large enough to hang over two sides.
• Butter the paper, too, and tuck it flat against the pan.
• Put the chopped pecan pieces in a handy spot where you'll be working.
• Combine the sugar, salt, Karo syrup, half-and-half, cream, and butter in a heavy-based 3-qt pan (do not use a smaller pan), stirring with a wooden spoon over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• This can take a while, and it's hard to see; you should feel the texture (rub a little between your fingers or run your finger along the mixture clinging to the spoon) to be sure all the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the mixture foams to a boil.
• Add the baking soda.
• Lower the heat and stir like mad.
• The mixture will double in volume and then gradually subside and begin to take on a golden hue.
• After the mixture settles a bit, put in a warmed candy thermometer.
• Continue to stir constantly, scraping the sides, and cook over medium-low heat until the thermometer registers just 240°F.
• Watch very carefully, as the thermometer will hover at 239° for a while and then move up.
• You must remove the mixture before it passes 240°F.
• Remove the pot from the heat and take out the thermometer.
• Continue to stir quickly.
• The candy will look like a loose caramel sauce.
• Add the vanilla (watch out, it may sputter) and stir carefully to incorporate.
• Add the pecans and continue stirring quickly.
• Don't take your eyes off the mixture at this point.
• Watch and feel it as it begins to thicken, lighten in color, and become harder to stir.
• When it has thickened enough to leave a path on the bottom of the pan while you're stirring, it's just about ready.
• The moment you notice that the mixture is just beginning to lose its glossy shine, turn it out into the buttered pan.
• Don't wait until the mixture looks completely matte or it will be too dry when you try to cut it.
• If you stop stirring at the right moment, the mixture will firm up almost the second it hits the pan.
• Too soon, it will never be anything more than caramel (although very good caramel); too long, it will harden in the pot.

BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add milk, oil, egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until combined. Beat an additional 3 minutes on high speed and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium to high speed until soft peaks form. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the egg white mixture and fold in. Gently pour the batter into a 9-inch greased pie pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Invert the pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely.
• Pastry Cream Filling: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cornstarch and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture until incorporated. Whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture, reserving the empty saucepan.
• Pour the mixture through a strainer back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and slowly boiling. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Let cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. (The custard can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate until 1 hour before using.)
• Ganache: In a medium bowl, pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until melted.
• To assemble pie, remove the cake from the pan. Cut the cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer on a serving plate or board, and spread with the pastry cream. Top with second cake layer. Pour chocolate ganache over and down the sides of the cake. Store in refrigerator.

AVA'S BOSTON CREAM CANDY RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• Mix sugar, Karo, and cream,. Cook until soft ball forms. Take off heat, add butter and vanilla. Let cool, then add pecans and beat until ready to drop. Pour into buttered 8 x 8 pan. Cool and then cut into squares. If you want chocolate candy, add 2 heaping Tblsp of Cocoa with the sugar, Karo and cream.