Buttermilk Candy Recipes

BUTTERSCOTCH CANDY

Steps:

• Generously butter a 10x15 inch baking pan (with sides).
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, white sugar, water, vinegar and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove lid and heat, without stirring, to 270 to 290 degrees F (132 to 143 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard but pliable threads. Pour in vanilla, but do not stir. Remove from heat and pour into prepared pan. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares and allowing candy to cool completely.

BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Combine butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until sugar is moistened, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until well combined. Return mixer to low speed, add remaining 2 cups sugar, and mix until well combined, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, 6 minutes more. Add peppermint extract, milk, and salt; beat until smooth.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with confectioners' sugar and turn out "dough" onto it. Divide into 5 pieces; tint as desired with food coloring, leaving one piece white. (Keep covered with plastic wrap while working to prevent drying.)
• Roll "dough" into 1/2-inch-thick ropes, then cut into pieces slightly over 1/2 inch long with a paring knife or bench scraper. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Let dry, uncovered, at least 12 hours. Mints can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

BUTTERMILK CANDY

Steps:

• Put all ingredients except vanilla and nuts into pan and cook, stirring constantly until soft ball forms when dropped in cold water.
• Add vanilla and nuts and beat till creamy.
• When cool, cut into squares.
• Also makes good frosting for spice cake.

BUTTERMILK PRALINES

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, buttermilk and baking soda. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 210°. , Stir in butter and pecans; cook until thermometer reads 230°. Remove from the heat; add vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture loses its gloss and begins to set, about 8 minutes. Quickly drop by teaspoonfuls onto foil-lined baking sheets. Cool.

BUTTERMILK FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter sides of a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
• Using a pastry brush dipped in hot water, wash down any sugar crystals on side of pan.
• attach candy thermometer to pan, making sure thermometer does not touch bottom of pan.
• Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Do not stir while syrup is boiling.
• Continue t cook until syrup reaches softball stage (Approximately 234 to 240 degrees).
• Test about ½-teaspoon syrup in ice water. Syrup should easily form a ball in ice water but flatten when held in your hand.
• Remove from heat: add vanilla. DO NOT STIR until syrup cools to approximately 200 degrees.
• Using a medium speed of an electric mixer, beat fudge until thickened and no longer glossy.
• Stir in nuts.
• Pour into a buttered 8- inch square pan. Cool completely.
• Cut into 1-inch squares.
• Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.