Candy Corn

It is finally starting to feel like fall around here, well, I say that and today it is going to be in the 80's, but at night it is in the 60's. The leaves are starting to change and fall off of the trees. Pumpkins are starting to make their appearances at the farmer's markets and the grocery stores. I love when fall finally rolls around. The air smells cleaner, and it makes me start thinking of the holidays. Halloween then Thanksgiving, I am already counting down the days, and then Christmas. And then at the very end of it all, we start off a whole new year. In less than 3 months it will be a whole other year. It is really crazy when you think about it!!

I found this recipe last year, printed it off and never made it. I think that I found it from you who got it from someone else, but it originally came from the editor's blog at Epicurious. I saw a Halloween special last year on Foodtv that the host visited the shop Boule and they made this candy corn and other Halloween treats. This is supposed to be that recipe.

This was completed in less than an hour, and I will definitely be making it again and again. Since this was my first go around with it, I got about 80 pieces. Next time, I will make them smaller. There is a note in the recipe that said not to roll the ropes too thin or it will break. I now know, that I can go a little smaller than I did. I also did not sift the last 3 ingredients. I will for sure do that the next time. It will make for a smoother dough. I will also divide the colors into 2 or 3 parts and make it in separate increments. That will make for easier rope rolling. Oh, and also, unless you want you hands stained, use gloves to mix the colors!

If you like the store bought candy corn, or even if you don't, make this. It tastes so much better, but be warned that it is addicting! This does not make a huge mess in the kitchen, so that is a plus!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Candy Corn

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
5 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup non fat milk powder
1/4 tsp sea salt (I used regular salt)
Red and yellow food coloring

Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil over high heat in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sift powdered sugar, milk powder, and salt into medium bowl. Add powdered sugar mixture to pan; stir to combine. Let mixture stand until slightly warm to touch, about 20 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; place each piece in small bowl. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to one piece of dough. Using plastic gloves to protect hands, knead food coloring into dough until smooth and color is even, about 15 minutes. Repeat using red and yellow food coloring (to make orange) with second piece. Leave last piece white; knead dough until smooth. Roll each piece into a thin rope (don't roll too thin or dough will break.) Push three ropes together to form long rectangle. Using sharp knife, cut ropes into triangles. Using fingers, shape candy corn as desired. Store in room temperature in airtight container, separating layers with pieces of waxed paper to prevent sticking.

**I used my bench scraper to cut the triangles, and this would be a great recipe that your kids could do.