Rock Candy Brown Sugar Recipe 385

Steps:

• Warm 2 cups water over medium heat until it is boiling gently. Measure brown sugar in a dry measuring cup. Pat the sugar in the cup with your finger tips to remove excess air, and then add more sugar to fill the cup. Measure 4 packed cups. Pour the brown sugar into the hot water, and stir with a wooden spoon until all the crystals have dissolved. Remove from heat when the mixture is at a rolling boil or when a candy thermometer reads 247 to 252 degrees F. Transfer the hot sugar solution to a clean glass container, such as a canning jar. Tie one end of a cotton string to the middle of a pencil. Tie a washer to the free end of the string to weigh it down. Dip the string, washer-end first, into the jar of sugar water for five to 10 seconds. Remove the string, and dry it on a piece of parchment paper for two to three days; this creates a layer of starter crystals. Suspend the prepared string in the remaining jarred sugar solution; the pencil balances across the top of the jar and prevents the string from falling into the mix. Do not disturb the jar for seven to 10 days; the candy crystals take longer to form in unstable or humid environments. Remove the candy from the jar. Rinse it for one or two seconds under cool water, and set it on parchment paper to dry.

Steps:

• Butter a 8 or 9 inch square baking dish.
• In a large heavy saucepan, stir together the brown sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the temperature reaches between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla and walnuts. Continue to beat with a sturdy spoon until the mixture looses its gloss. Pour into the prepared pan. Score into squares with a knife then set aside until firm, about 5 minutes. Cut into squares and serve or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Roll the edges of two 16 inch square pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle the foil very generously with confectioners' sugar.
• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, and boil until a candy thermometer reads 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C). Remove from heat.
• Stir in the cinnamon oil and food coloring. Pour onto the prepared foil, and allow to cool and harden. Crack into pieces, and store in an airtight container.