Christmas Candy Making Installment No. 4: The White Russian Truffle – AKA The Caucasian Truffle. These truffles are a gift for some of my closest friends, friends I don’t see often enough. Friends with whom I have watched The Big Lebowski with 428 times or so. There is a reason Caucasians are The Dude’s cocktail of choice, they are delicious. I toyed with the idea of rolling them in powdered coffee creamer, if you are a fan of the movie, you know why, but I thought almonds a little more palatable, and prettier.
Appleton, Ginger and Lime Truffles
22 DecWelcome to the third installment of Christmas Candy Making – Classic Chocolate Truffles with a Caymanian twist. There is enough rum in these little candies to warm your chest and flush your cheeks. The fresh ginger provides a little heat and the lime brightens the whole thing. These are not hard to make. So, go, make them!
Salted Caramels
21 DecStep two in the candy making adventure: Salted Caramels. These require a little more care and a few tools but trust me, they are worth it. I think that these just may be the best caramels I have ever had. Soft, creamy, salty, sweet, fragrant. They can be dipped in chocolate but they really don’t need it. Save the chocolate for something else.
Chocolate-Covered Toffee with Roasted, Salted Pumpkin Seeds
20 DecThis is the first in a series of several candies that I am making for the holidays. Some will go to friends, some will be in bowls around the house, some will be thank you presents and hostess gifts. It has been a while since I have made candy, a few years at least. Candy can be difficult. Sugar gets very hot, chocolate burns easily. There are all kinds of temperatures and stages to remember. So I am starting out easy, just getting my feet wet.
Say hello to toffee. You don’t really need a candy thermometer to get this one right and although tempered chocolate results in a professional sheen and delicate snap when bitten into, simply melting some good quality chocolate will do just fine. Pumpkin seeds are a nod to the season, feel free to substitute any toasted nut.