Swedish Hard Candy Recipes

SWEDISH HARD TACK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Rub in the shortening until the mixture appears sandy. Stir in the buttermilk until the dough holds together. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 4-inch squares, then cut each square diagonally into triangles, and prick with a fork.
• Bake the triangles in preheated oven on ungreased cookie sheets until dry and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

SWEDISH HARD CANDIES (KNäCK)

Steps:

• Combine sugar, syrup, butter and cream in a heavy saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture forms a firm ball, about 250 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Add nuts and pour into small fluted waxed paper candy cups or onto well-buttered cookie sheet. If poured on a cookie sheet, allow to set before cutting into small squares with oiled scissors.
• Wrap in waxed paper.

SWEDISH HARD CANDY

Steps:

• Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and half-half in 2 qt heavy saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• (Watch so it doesn't overflow).
• Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, to the hard ball stage (250*).
• Remove from heat; add chopped almonds.
• Pour into small fluted paper dessert cups (about 1 1/2" diameter- and once paper removed.. will have a pretty edge) or drop from teaspoon onto waxed paper- to make patties.

HARD CANDY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, stir together the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Without stirring, heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.
• Remove from heat and stir in flavored extract and food coloring, if desired. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Let cool, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

OLD FASHIONED HARD CANDY

Steps:

• Butter two 15x10x1-in. pans; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and food coloring. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat; stir in flavoring. Immediately pour into prepared pans; cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.