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Store bought, commercial candy is fine for a quick fix but I much prefer a really well made piece, or three, of chocolate or other confection from a local candy shop. Yes, I have a favorite candy shop and no it's not really local to me, which is probably a good thing. The best handmade small batch candy I've ever had was from the Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit, Maine, USA. Their dark chocolate rocky road is amazing! Not to mention their chocolate covered jellies, divinity, chocolate wreaths...and, did I mention, the dark chocolate rocky road?
When I can't get to Maine to satisfy my sweet tooth for a really good piece of candy I will sometimes just make my own. And there are certain candies that I make quite a lot of. Candy orange peel is one of those candies and I almost always have in my house. It's easy to make, tastes delicious, can be used in almost any baked good, keeps orange peel from ending up in the compost and makes the house smell wonderful! I love working with hot sugar and I've been doing so since I was in my twenties.
I think I like it so much, in part, because in many ways it's can almost be magical, like when pouring hot sugar over bloomed gelatin in the mixer. It transforms from this small amount of golden liquid into a nearly pure white mass of fluffy clouds that comes close to filling the mixing bowl.
Candied Orange Peel
Candied Orange Peel
Candied orange peel may be the first candy I ever made. I first saw them being made on the Frugal Gourmet cooking show and they really intrigued me a lot. Jeff Smith's version was a LOT of work and took a LONG time to make. Since then I have found many recipes for candied peel and I've taken ideas from some to come up with this version.
I make these every year for Christmas, and like the date Confections, if I don't make them I hear about from my Grandmother. She helps me keep even our newer traditions alive and I love it.
Date Confections
Date Confections
I don't know where my Grandmother got this recipe from, but what I remember, she used to make them every year for Christmas eve. On years when she didn't make them I used to lovingly give her grief about it. When she stopped making them altogether I started because I love them and didn't want the tradition to end. Now when I don't make them she gives me grief about it.
Marshmallows
Marshmallows
I love a really good marshmallow, especially with chocolate and almonds. These are wonderful in Rocky Road candy but just as good plain.
For the record, I prefer my marshmallow more on the "stale" side so they have some chewiness to them. For those of you like them fresh, get them into a sealed container as quickly as possible.
Peanut Butter Bon-Bons
Peanut Butter Bon-Bons
Different people in the family have been making these on and off for years beginning with my Grandmother on my dad's side who made them with crisp rice cereal. Then a good friend of mine used to make them with gram crackers. I used to prefer the crisp rice cereal version until I started making them with crushed Rice Chex cereal, now that is my proffered version.
Simsim (Sesame) Candy
Simsim (Sesame) Candy
I have enjoyed sesame candy since I was a kid. As an adult, I rarely bought any, simply because I didn't see it very often. Over the years I've often had a desire to make some but I just never made the time.
The first year my wife and I were together she was describing a candy called simsim that she made and ate as a kid in Africa. She and I had such fond memories of this candy I knew I had to make it.
The first time I made this candy it came out so hard it was nearly impossible to eat. After making a few adjustments to the recipe it is now, not only edible, but just like we both remember it.
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
When I mention Turkish Delight many people think of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis but they don't know what it is. If you don't know what it is you should really experience it. It's wonderful! Sweet and chewy and filled throughout with nuts and wonderful flavors such as rose, lemon and orange blossom.
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