Pecan Pie Taffy

The opportunity to review the book  Sweet Confections: Beautiful Candy to Make at Home comes at an opportune time.  I’m currently looking to expand the ol’ candy repertoire before the holidays arrive.  Is there anything better than getting homemade candy as a gift?  I can’t think of anything better at the moment, but that could be because I’m staring down a bowl of buttery pecan pie taffy.  This taffy recipe is just a small taste of what this book has to offer.

Cookie dough fudge?  This book has it.  A sweet-and-salty smorgasbord? This book has it.  It also has big, glossy images and plenty of step-by-steps to guide you to sweet success.  Author Nina Wanat has packed this book with easy-to-make recipes and intriguing flavor combinations.

In short, I recommend!  In fact, I like it so much I’m giving away a couple of copies.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me what kind of homemade treat you like to give -OR GET as a gift.  Do you like to make rum cakes or fruitcake cookies?  Do you  love getting peanut butter fudge or pecan divinity?



Tell me!   Contest ended 9/14/11

You’ll love these if you’re a molasses fan, and with the addition of roasted pecans, the taffy is quite reminiscent of pecan pie.  I think these would be fun for something different at Thanksgiving.  Heck, they’d be good for any holiday.

Pecan Pie Taffy                                                                                                    [printable version]

Recipe from Sweet Confections by Nina Wanat with my commentary

Yield: 50-60 pieces

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup light molasses

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup bourbon (optional)

2 tbsp. butter

1/16 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2/3 cup roasted pecans, chopped  (I toasted them quickly in a pan over medium-high heat)

Note:  You’ll need a 9×13-inch baking pan, a 3 quart saucepan and a candy thermometer.  Wax paper should be used to wrap the candies.

1. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with oil.  (I used canola spray)

2. Bring both sugars, molasses, water, and bourbon (if using) to a boil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat.  Keep an eye on the mixture once it boils, stirring occasionally.  It will quickly boil over if not watched carefully.

3. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.  Let boil until temperature reaches 250 degrees F – stir constantly to prevent scorching.

4. Remove from heat and vanilla, butter, baking soda and salt.  Stir until well incorporated.

5. Pour into the prepared pan and sprinkle over pecans. Let cool for 30 minutes, or until just warm.

6. With buttered hands, gather the taffy from the edges and pull until it is lightly colored and firm enough to hold its shape.  Roll the taffy into a thin rope and cut into 1-inch lengths.  Wrap in wax paper.

Some details about the contest:

Contest ends Sept. 13th, 2011.  Winners will be selected randomly by utilizing a random number generator (Random.org).   Winners will be notified via email and will have 3 days to confirm receipt of the email. If the winner does not reply within the allotted time, another winner will be selected.

 

 

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Kim
Kim
13 years ago

It's quite simple. I like to prepare chocolate truffles! Everyone loves these and these are so simple to prepare (plus, I get to eat so pieces of chocolate meanwhile…) The treats I like to receive: salted caramel. I just like eating it directly in the jar!

Kelly
Kelly
13 years ago

I would love to try making some candy – such as caramels. I recently purchased a candy thermometer to try it out. Your taffy looks great!

Gayle
Gayle
13 years ago

Those look delish! My favorite gift to give is a batch of fruitcake cookies. I always get rave reviews!

Rachel
Rachel
13 years ago

I have been thinking about making candy (just to practice for the holidays, of course…) for weeks. When giving, I love to make a batch of salted caramels or some festive bark (I have a great PB and chocolate one for Halloween) for friends.

Homemade candy is truly one of life's great joys. I will have to try this taffy; I have a friend who would go crazy for it.

Kelly
Kelly
13 years ago

I like to give homemade canned jam or apple butter. I also love to give homemade candies – toffee and brittle. I need to try taffy tho. That's my favorite gift to get!

Hezzi-D
Hezzi-D
13 years ago

These look like the perfect fall treat! I can taste them already and my mouth is watering!

Sara
Sara
13 years ago

That taffy looks amazing! I really like giving jam as a sweet gift…doesn't have to be consumed right away, and you can make it in big batches.

vesta
vesta
13 years ago

I usually give cookies, but I would love to start making candy!

Connie @ Daydream in Color
Connie @ Daydream in Color
13 years ago

I love giving my holiday boxes/baskets every year. I choose 5-6 recipes that match well together & I design packaging for each one like it's a product. It's a lot of fun & work every year. People look forward to it though & that makes it all worthwhile! The pecan pie taffy looks soo good. It might have to be made for the box this year!

Jackie @ La Casa de Sweets
Jackie @ La Casa de Sweets
13 years ago

I love giving people cookies, truffles, and anything that's covered in chocolate!

Mmm... is for Mommy
Mmm... is for Mommy
13 years ago

After last month's Daring Bakers candylicious challenge, I am all over this 🙂 I love making fudge, but truffles, oh sweet truffles. I made some pecan praline truffles with Buttershots liqueur that were amazing 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

peanut butter chocolate chip cookies – amazing to bake, eat and give as gifts 🙂

Krystal's Blog
Krystal's Blog
13 years ago

I love giving specially crafted chocolate bark out during christmas. It is so easy that you can really make it different and special for each person on your list. No one's has to be the same and everyone seems so amazed and thankful that I took the time to make each persons a little different and crafted with the special treats they like the most. (Little do they know how easy it really is!) Lets see…what I like to get most…TRUFFLES! For some reason I have never made them before which makes them all the more special when I get… Read more »

Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
13 years ago

I make cookies or cake balls when I'm giving things away 🙂

Jen
Jen
13 years ago

Pecan Pie Taffy?! WOW!!! I want it, i need to make it (well, at least try to)! And it has a touch of bourbon? DOne, this is my must have for the upcoming holidays…

anniebakes
anniebakes
13 years ago

I LOVE homemade buckeyes!! anne

Ang
Ang
13 years ago

i love getting a homemade loaf of bread. SO much better than any store-bought loaf. EVER.

hungry hippo
hungry hippo
13 years ago

wow! this gives me inspiration to try and make pecan pie taffy cupcakes!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

Love, love, love pralines!!!!! Oh and anything at all with peanut butter.

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Candied Pecans.

Sarah Endris
Sarah Endris
13 years ago

I love to give cheesecakes as gifts. I know that is big but there are so many variations. Chai tea, brownie bite, Blueberry, pumpkin. You can almost always find a cheesecake that will suite anyones taste bud.

Nicole
Nicole
13 years ago

I make chocolate and chocolate walnut fudge in massive quantities at the holidays to giveaway. Probably the best homemade gift I've received was a tin of Russian tea cakes from my grandmother when I first moved to California (she lives in New England). They were, and are one of my favorite cookies, in large part because they make me think of Christmas as a child.

Nana Tipsy
Nana Tipsy
13 years ago

I love to make coconut ice, fudge (have a mean peanut butter fudge recipe) hokey pokey (aka honeycomb – I'm kiwi it's just what we call it), basically anything that looks pretty and can be wrapped up in some cellophane and ribbon!

Pauline
Pauline
13 years ago

I love giving out homemade goodie trays every Christmas. Always a different variety of cookies, bars/brownies & candies. I think everyone looks forward to those gifts more than anything store bought.

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Fun! Fun! Hmmm. what do I like to give? Since we are approaching Fall, we always make Swedish Ginger cookies with our fall leaf cookie cutters. When the kids were younger we used the cutters to trace leaves onto a paper bag. We gave these to all of their teachers as fall surprises. Now that they are past all of that "baby" stuff, we just make the cookies and EAT them!

Jade
Jade
13 years ago

I like to make chocolate caramels as gifts. They travel well and are like a grown up version of tootsie rolls- everyone loves them!

ashleynicole1091
ashleynicole1091
13 years ago

During the holiday season… I have always loved making ginger bread men as gifts for my friends and family, each decorated according to whom the gift is intended for! Otherwise I love trying new recipes that compliment the favorite flavor or treat of the person I am baking for… but when im in need of some last minute baking, i can make peanut-butter cookies with my eyes closed :]

FreddyMcFrederson
FreddyMcFrederson
13 years ago

I know its not a candy .. but!, you cant go wrong with a good old fashioned, grin provoking , flashback making , buttery and chrewy OatMeal cookie … or peanut butter cookie… or oatmeal peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips and nuts! … Alright , guess we know what im doing to do tonight =P

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

First off YUM! I am dreaming of how that would melt in your mouth in a variety of fabulous flavors. Now for the giveaway part. My fav candy I have ever recieved was a cinnamon carmel, it was divine. I love to give whatever I feel like baking and eating that day.
Liz
busylizzybows@hotmail.com

Anna
Anna
13 years ago

Last year I made apple cider caramels and they've become my favorite gifts to make and give, but in terms of getting, my friend makes the best molasses cookies that are to die for. Great giveaway, the pie taffy sounds amazing.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I love to give caramel oatmeal bars…and get anything!

ctj5(at)duke(dot)edu

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

Heather, this is such a unique taffy recipe. You're right, they'd be perfect this fall:) Cookies, fudge, and truffles are what I usually give. This book sounds like a lot of fun!

Rose /Magpie
Rose /Magpie
13 years ago

I would love to give (and get) candy! I have actually never tried tho I just bought my first candy thermometer and am gathering courage to give it a try! Have a pumpkin spice recipe in mind tho your delicious pecan one is going to my must try list too 🙂

TAITx3
TAITx3
13 years ago

My new passion is candy making. I'm into the ole fashion candies right now. I recently made a batch of honeycomb that melted in your mouth! I'm definitely a giver. I especially love packaging them up and sending it out good old snail mail. I'm a fan of sweet and salty combinations. A couple days ago a made a batch of brown butter bacon chocolate chip cookies that were a huge hit! My favorite thing to give away is carmel corn with drizzle chocolate (I even put bacon in that as well). People go crazy over that! I have never… Read more »

Cassa
Cassa
13 years ago

I would love to get (or give) any sort of toffee or caramel. 🙂

Lori
Lori
13 years ago

I love making goodies for my friends and neighbors! Mini cupcakes are a favorite of mine, but I especially love to receive fudge. Mmm…

Amy
Amy
13 years ago

My favorite homemade treats to give are cookies. I have a couple of "go to" recipes that I make during holidays and everyone loves them. The only thing is that they have to be consumed/enjoyed quickly (although that normally is not an issue). This book would be wonderful to have cos I can imagine my family and friends would love to receive homemade candies as well. Better yet, their shelf lives last longer than cookies! Can't wait to try the recipes in this book! These pecan pie taffy looks divine!

amy [at] utry [dot] it

Pâtisserie Paris
Pâtisserie Paris
13 years ago

I like to give away cookies and cupcakes…however this Christmas I'm planning on adding some jam in the mix!

April Corrigan
April Corrigan
13 years ago

I love to give my vanilla chocolate chip cookies. But sometimes a few go missing before the recipient receives them.

Erin
Erin
13 years ago

Every December my family makes tons of "Christmas Candy" (Butternut Crunch) to give to family and friends. My mother even sent me some in Africa! We love it to give and to get! This book looks like great goodies to give and get year round!

The Dragonfly On Iron Gate
The Dragonfly On Iron Gate
13 years ago

I love to make bonbons for a gift ! I'm going to try to make these they would be great for Thanksgiving. LOVE LOVE !! Great pictures too. Always an amazing job !!

Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
13 years ago

I would love to try to make my own candy! I usually give cookies and mini cupcakes so this would be a fun change.

Sarah van Loon
Sarah van Loon
13 years ago

This cookbook is exactly what I have been looking for!!! Thank you for sharing!! I've been pondering lately what I'm going to make for cookie swaps and other holiday gifts, and home made candy/treats is it!

I would love to get chocolate-covered-caramels with sea salt. Heaven! That taffy also looks divine… Thank you, again!! 🙂

Johnny
Johnny
13 years ago

I love making hokey pokey…a rather unique kiwi thing to make but sooo delicious. Golden syrup and butter melted and warmed up and some baking soda chucked in at the end makes a good science experiment too! Now I've got my candy thermometer I'm looking forward to trying to make more candy!

Sugared Sam
Sugared Sam
13 years ago

Truffles are my standard food gifts, but I love trying new treats. With cooler weather approaching, I'll certainly start with pecan pie taffy. Thanks – and love the photos!

AlsoKnownAsAki
AlsoKnownAsAki
13 years ago

I love making apple pies and giving them away. Just seeing people smile because I gave them a delicious treat makes me so happy!

Rachel @ Bakerita
Rachel @ Bakerita
13 years ago

I'm a big fan of giving people peanut brittle (or some other kind of nut; their favorite typically!)!
I have a foolproof recipe, but it doesn't double well so during the holidays I'll spend a good full day making pounds and pound of nut brittles! Never fail to impress though.
These pecan pie taffies look heavenly and that book looks like a dream!
Cookie dough fudge?!!? Count me in!
Oh, and my e-mail is rachellconners@yahoo.com

Jenni Bailey
Jenni Bailey
13 years ago

I love Buckeyes – little balls of chocolate-dipped peanut butter. My absolute favorite.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I love giving a mixture of treats: always fudge, peanut brittle, toffee, and several Christmas cookies. Occasionally other treats, too. This looks like an awesome book!
steeplechaser29 (at) yahoo (dot) com

MsMarz
MsMarz
13 years ago

My favorite candy to make for holiday gifts is a caramel that i add an ale reduction to. once it is half set, i stick some pretzels in to give it a "beer and pretzels" twist.

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