Halloween Apples (or not!) - Page 5

[tanyalynn]

I'm behind, we just went out to the store this morning to get a new candy thermometer--no idea where the old one went, I'm guessing it got lost in one of the moves.

for tootsie rolls!

[oaksie68]

Originally Posted by tanyalynn

I'm behind, we just went out to the store this morning to get a new candy thermometer--no idea where the old one went, I'm guessing it got lost in one of the moves.

for tootsie rolls!

Please, please, please let me know how these turn out - I've got my DD psyched to make these this weekend! Good luck!

[chlobo]

You all are making me feel guilty. I should but...

[True Blue]

Oh yes, please tell us!!! I'd love to try those!!!

I have the marshmallow fondant sitting right now...it tastes delicious...I can't wait to make it into little goodies tonight!

I went to Michael's today and got all kinds of neat stuff. I got chocolate molds for lollies and candies, lollipop sticks, clear wrappers for the lollies, and even little gold foil wrappers for chocolates! I didn't even realize they had those lol. I'm so excited because they will look more like real Halloween candy, kwim? I also got mini cupcake liners to make "reese's" with Enjoy Life chocolate and cashew butter. I plan to go to most of our neighbors and give them a little bag of goodies to disperse to my kids. I think I'm going to put each child's goodies from each house in a little plastic treat bag I got at the dollar store to make it easier for them. Plus DD1's bday party is Saturday, and now I can make some nice goodies for their goody bags that everyone can eat. This is so much fun, even though I am totally stressed out!

[tanyalynn]

Pretty wrappers? What a nice idea... I'm never that organized.

I wonder what gummy stuff would do in a shape that's really more intended for a lollipop? Maybe I should stick to worms (I hope I'm creative enough to make the aluminum foil worm-shape thing work).

Becky & Amy--I'll let you know how the tootsie rolls work out, we're about to do a bit of kitchen clean up and then start. (No, I have no idea what's for dinner tonight, that won't be a problem, will it? Someday I'll make everything happen in a timely fashion, really!)

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by tanyalynn

Pretty wrappers? What a nice idea... I'm never that organized.

I wonder what gummy stuff would do in a shape that's really more intended for a lollipop? Maybe I should stick to worms (I hope I'm creative enough to make the aluminum foil worm-shape thing work).

Becky & Amy--I'll let you know how the tootsie rolls work out, we're about to do a bit of kitchen clean up and then start. (No, I have no idea what's for dinner tonight, that won't be a problem, will it? Someday I'll make everything happen in a timely fashion, really!)

ha. You and me both.

[tanyalynn]

Sorry, JR. Your day sounds worse than mine and I'm feeling pretty bummed about mine.

I decided that sleep was more important than just about anything else, so no treats at all tonight. Dinner--kids got thrown together stuff, DH hasn't eaten yet, I'm scrambling for leftovers and then going to bed early. I need sleep.

Hopefully tootsie rolls and gf rice krispies AND gummies tomorrow. will report back when I get them done.

[True Blue]

Gummie lollies sound great!!! Must go look at gummy recipe!!! OK first I need to make chocolates. But then again we have a tornado watch til 2am now so that makes me scared to go to bed.

Dinner? Ummmmwe had a lot of sugar. But DS did at least have some of last night's leftovers, and DD1 and I had some eggs, and DD2....ummmm....cheese stick and breastmilk.

I'm usually not all that organized. The pretty wrappers were a bonus find!!! Note I was shopping for Halloween molds days before Halloween, and, well, there were none to be found! Generic fun shapes will have to do!

[True Blue]

Lime gummies made!!!! I will definitely need at least one more batch, though! What would be another good low-sals flavor? Lemon? Can I do that?

[mamafish9]

Originally Posted by True Blue

Lime gummies made!!!! I will definitely need at least one more batch, though! What would be another good low-sals flavor? Lemon? Can I do that?

Yup, those are the standard two for low sals...

[True Blue]

Thanks. Note to self: buy lemons tomorrow....lol.

[tanyalynn]

Okay, I'm pretty late starting to make candy--we've been eating the gf rice krispies treats already, so the sugar consumption around here is pretty high already.

So.... I haven't made candy in ages, and probably never all on my own as an adult. Sugar heats up to 275*F and beyond quite quickly. Really, really fast. Don't look away, don't assume you can clean up other stuff in the kitchen while the pot's on.

Got up above 300F before I realized it, and it smelled a bit burnt, so batch #1 of tootsie rolls is a bust due entirely to user error.

Don't be me!

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by tanyalynn

Okay, I'm pretty late starting to make candy--we've been eating the gf rice krispies treats already, so the sugar consumption around here is pretty high already.

So.... I haven't made candy in ages, and probably never all on my own as an adult. Sugar heats up to 275*F and beyond quite quickly. Really, really fast. Don't look away, don't assume you can clean up other stuff in the kitchen while the pot's on.

Got up above 300F before I realized it, and it smelled a bit burnt, so batch #1 of tootsie rolls is a bust due entirely to user error.

Don't be me!

bummer, but welcome to the world of candy making!
gotta make supper then we're gonna go and ToT, I guess.

[tanyalynn]

v2.0 is cooling and we're STILL waiting for it to get dark enough to go trick or treating. But at least the taste of the tootsie rolls is great (I added 1/2 tsp salt to the recipe, it really seems like sweet recipes need some salt), they're still warm so I'm not sure about their finished texture.

eta: I think 1/2 tsp of salt is going to be too much for most people. I sorta like the flavor but next time I'll use 1/4 tsp.

eta2: for any newbie candy makers, you may find parchment paper easier to work with than waxed paper. Don't know what I did wrong (was it too warm? I thought it was ok) but my tootsie rolls seriously stuck to the waxed paper and didn't to the parchment. I was able to roll some into a log with the parchment.

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

So!
I am thinking of attempting to modify this recipe for moonpies to be gluten free as well as trying this recipe for caramel apples with rice milk instead of soy and then making some home made gummies and buying some Yummy Earth lollies and maybe a BOOM Choco BOOM Bar, assuming I don't make chocolate covered sponge taffy. I was also considering pull taffy and salt water taffy...

What was your final caramel recipe?

[Theloose]

Bumping for folks like me who have dh's who want to make a ton of candy as gifts for the holidays.

http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/halloween/homemade-candy-recipes-opr1010

And anyone have ideas for making something like Chimes peanut butter ginger chews? It should be simple and I might just have to play. Yum. Thanks, mom, just what I need, more tempting sugar!