Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Treats--Kentucky Pulled Cream Candy



I have attempted to make the delicious Kentucky Pulled Cream Candy several times to no avail.  I had a batch that turned to sugar when I poured it onto the marble slab. I had a batch that just stayed like taffy and wouldn't cream.  Finally I gave up for several years.  Then I heard about a class at Fantasy in Frosting-our local baking/decorating place. My cousin and I signed up and the class was last night.
  The main thing I learned is that this candy is very difficult.  Our instructor even had a flopped batch last night.  Made me feel better about my unsuccessful attempts!  
Good thing the ingredients are not too expensive!

  Here is the recipe:

   Ky Pulled Cream Candy

3 cups Sugar
1 Stick Pure Butter
1 cup  water
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Boil water in large heavy saucepan. Add sugar and stir until clear. Slice butter into small pieces and add to water and sugar. Let cook with out stirring until it reaches 260 degrees(hard ball). Pour mixture onto a buttered cold marble slab(some people leave the stone outside in the cold weather to chill. You can also put it in your freezer. Do not pour it onto itself--pour in lines down and back until you have most of slab covered. Sprinkle with vanilla and let cool until lukewarm. Use the heel of your hand to test for lukewarm temp--it is the most sensitive part of the hand--just above the wrist.   Pick up the candy and roll as you go.  Butter your hands or wear gloves and pull the candy and twist as you go. Keep pulling until the candy looses its gloss--this can take quite a while and is a good job for 2 people.  Pull some more when you think you are done.  The candy should start to retract back when pulled and loose it's  gloss. Keep twisting the "Rope" and then cut with buttered scissors into small pillows onto a large buttered tray. Keep pieces from touching and then  cover with a large plastic bag.  An unscented garbage bag will work. Candy can take up to 48 hours to cream.  Humidity is a problem for this candy so you will have more luck making this when not raining. Some people even pull the candy outside because the cold temps help. Also, pulling a full batch is pretty strenous, so you can half the recipe for easier pulling.
  The candy should just melt in your mouth.  If it doesn't and you have sugar crystals in it you can use the pieces for coffee creamer!  If the candy gets too hard while trying to remove it from the slab it will crack like broken glass--just pitch it--not salvagable.
  If you like your candy with colors, just add a few drops of food coloring to the water. You can also use different flavors instead of the vanilla. 
  Well, If you are brave enough to try this, good luck. It is truly worth the effort involved!  This candy MELTS in your mouth!

Hope you enjoy this Kentucky Christmas Treat!

Blessings,
Lisa
                              
  http://www.frugallysustainable.blogspot.com/

                                               
http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/12/made-by-me-9-linky-party-and-features.html

2 comments:

  1. It looks really good. Have a wonderful day.

    ~Cheryl

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  2. My great-grandmother and grandmother, both from Kentucky made this ... as have my mom and I. Where is the cream in your recipe? The best part :)

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