Nut Rocca Candy Recipes

ALMOND ROCA RECIPE

Steps:

• Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and lightly butter the parchment, set aside.
• If your almonds are not toasted I would toast them and chop them now, by placing them in a single layer on a large baking sheet and baking at 300F/149C for 10 minutes. You need all elements of the recipe ready to go otherwise you risk the candy not setting up properly. Make sure the chocolate is finely chopped.
• In a large bottomed heavy pot add the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract and cook over medium-low heat. Do not increase the heat, you want the butter and sugar to melt evenly, once the sugar has melted completely, and the mixture is evenly combined increase the heat to medium, not high.
• Using a whisk mix everything constantly. Depending on how large your pot is, this process will take anywhere from 5-15 minutes. The mixture will start to bubble and thicken up and slowly change color. Use an instant-read thermometer or candy thermometer to keep checking the temperature of the toffee. Once the temperature has reached 295F/ 146C take-off of the heat and whisk in the baking soda. Once the baking soda is fully combined add the toasted almonds. Pour toffee onto the prepared pan and use an angled spatula to spread it into an even layer.
• Immediately sprinkle the chopped chocolate evenly over the toffee, you could take a piece of foil and "tent" the baking tray to help the steam stay in and melt the chocolate or what I do is place the baking sheet in the oven and turn the oven on to preheat, while the oven is warming and blowing warm air that will melt the chocolate in less than 5 minutes. Use another angled spatula to spread the chocolate then sprinkle with finely chopped toasted almonds pieces.
• Let the Almond Roca set up for 1 - 2 Hours. You can put it in the fridge to speed up the process but I suggest letting it cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to prevent the chocolate from blooming, and turning white, it will still taste good the chocolate will just end up with white streaks.
• Break into pieces and store in an air-tight container for up to a week.

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.

EASY ALMOND ROCA TOFFEE

Steps:

• Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place almonds in a single layer on cookie sheet.
• Cook butter, sugar, water, vanilla and salt in a heavy saucepan over high heat, stirring mixture constantly, 15-18 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 310°F.
• Remove from heat and immediately pour over almonds (do not scrape the pan).
• Sprinkle immediately with chocolate morsels and spread evenly to 1/2 inch from sides.
• Sprinkle with ground walnuts.
• Let stand until firm.
• Break into small pieces and store in an airtight container.
• (The toffee mixture will not coat the entire baking sheet).

TRIPLE-NUT CANDY

Steps:

• Place the walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 4-8 minutes or until toasted and golden brown, stirring once. Cool on a wire rack. Line an 8-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with butter and set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cream and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the toasted nuts. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until creamy and thickened. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. , Using foil, lift candy out of pan; discard foil. Cut candy into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

NUT ROCCA CANDY

Steps:

• Butter a 9-inch aquare pan.Spread nuts in bottom. In medium saucepqn, heat sugar and butter to boiling. Be careful not top burn. Stir constantly for 7 minutes.
• Immediately spread mixture over the nuts. Evenly sprinkle chips on top.
• Cover pan to allow contained heat to melt chocolate. Spread melted chocolate over candy. ut into 1-1/2-inch squares while still hot. Chill until firm.