What would Halloween Week be without a recipe for candy? Salty/sweet treats seem to be everywhere these days---from the unexceptional Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate at Starbucks to the out-of-this-world Vosges Peanut Butter Bonbons. This recipe is the homespun answer to the salty/sweet trend. It features salted cashews ensconced in a crunchy foundation of sweet, buttery toffee. I don't always eat my own baking---it's safer to send it to the office with the huz!---but I couldn't keep my sticky fingers away from this stuff!
You'll need a candy thermometer for this recipe (I had to go out and buy one, and it was SO worth it!) but other than that it's totally brainless to make. It's also fun to see how simple ingredients like butter and sugar come together to make something totally different---a real lesson in the magic of chemistry. I think making this with kids (under adequate adult supervision of course) would be so educational for them.
Salty 'n' Sweet Cashew Toffee
Recipe courtesy of Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons water
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 heaping cups salted cashew halves
In a large saucepan, combine butter, water, sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring all the while. Once the mixture starts to boil, stop stirring and cook until it reaches the hard-crack stage (about 300 degrees) on your candy thermometer.
Immediately remove pan from heat and stir in baking soda, salt and cashews. It will fizz when you add the baking soda; this aerates the candy, making it lighter and easier to bite into. Pour the candy mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper an let it cool completely. When cool, it will be hard and shattery; break it into generously sized pieces and serve. This toffee would be terrific packaged up as party favours or even as gifts for the winter holiday season! If you can bear to give it away, that is :)
Oh, and just in case you needed it, here's proof that my love of Halloween has been many years in the making!
ok, i do not bake, cook or fair well in the kitchen at all but the picture of that toffee inspires me to approach the kitchen... and will probably scare my fiance, (who is an incredible cook)and always wonders what i'm up to if he sees me attempting to prepare something! :) vosgues is one of the companies we'll be carrying in our shop i hope, they have very unusual flavors incorporations in their chocolate. great post!
Posted by: robin pulsifer | October 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
so sweet--the toffee and the pic!
Posted by: Rebecca | October 30, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Ahh what a cute photo. Another great recipe treat =).
Posted by: sushi2 | October 30, 2008 at 01:57 PM
cute toddler pic.... : )
i am on diet, so can't look at your yummy receipe.
Posted by: savvymode sg | October 30, 2008 at 02:26 PM
What delicious photos! I love salty and sweet anything. Can we say french fries and chocolate malts? :)
Posted by: Grace@PoeticHome | October 30, 2008 at 02:41 PM
This looks so delicious- yum! And the photo of you is absolutely precious!
Posted by: Courtney | October 30, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Yum. Oh, and that goes for those boots too!
Posted by: jessica | October 30, 2008 at 08:59 PM
this looks absolutely heavenly!! oh my- i must make some of this, and SOON.
Posted by: summer | October 31, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Salty and sweet is my favorite flavor combo (well, maybe a tie with salty and sour). This sounds to die for! You are on fire with your posts by the way!! So inspiring. :)
Posted by: jora | November 01, 2008 at 12:40 PM
that little photo is the cutest thing i've ever seen! i love those saggy cheeks on babies :)
Posted by: joanna goddard | November 08, 2008 at 06:25 AM
looks great!
Posted by: nikole | October 30, 2009 at 09:48 AM
He who will not reason, is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool ;and he who dares not is a slave.
Posted by: cheap jordans | November 09, 2010 at 09:48 PM
Oh I hope you all have a blessed day
Posted by: taobao auction | November 12, 2010 at 01:11 AM
You'll need a candy thermometer for this recipe (I had to go out and buy one, and it was SO worth it!) but other than that it's totally brainless to make. It's also fun to see how simple ingredients like butter and sugar come together to make something totally different---a real lesson in the magic of chemistry. I think making this with kids (under adequate adult supervision of course) would be so educational for them.
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