Baby Ruth® Candy Bar

Chief | December 23, 2008

Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles Hershey’s PayDay. To clone this one we’ll only have to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe, then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the wrapper of this candy bar calls the center “nougat,” it’s more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.

Centers
1/4 cup whole milk
5 unwrapped caramels
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

20 unwrapped caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons water
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the
powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir
often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth,
add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2
cup of powdered sugar for later.
2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230
degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.
3. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the
remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand
mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy
cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take
a minute or two.
4. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until
it can be touched. Don’t let it sit too long – you want the candy
to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a
tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a
countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger,
and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining
center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should
have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to
firm up.
5. Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt
completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel
will stay warm while you make the candy bars.
6. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface.
Using a basting brush and working quickly, “paint” a coating of
caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center
over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that
the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel
onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts.
The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides.
If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto
the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto
wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these
bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.
7. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap
it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don’t overcook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you.
8. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the
candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When
the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the
forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the
top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off.
Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two
forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the
candy bars until firm.


Makes 8 candy bars.

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Rudolph the Reindeer Kiwi Christmas Cookies

Chief | December 11, 2008

Ingredients

  • 1  (16.5-oz.) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 36  pretzel twists
  • 36  semisweet chocolate mini morsels
  • 18  red cinnamon candies

Preparation

1. Freeze dough 15 minutes.

2. Roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut dough with a 3-inch round cutter, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using thumb and forefinger, pinch opposite sides of each slice about two-thirds of the way down to shape face.

3. Break curved sides away from center of each pretzel twist to form antlers. Press bottom of 1 set of antlers on each side at top of each reindeer face.

4. Bake at 350° according to package directions or until lightly browned. Remove from oven; press in 2 chocolate mini morsels for eyes and 1 red cinnamon candy for nose. Let cool 1 minute on baking sheets. Remove to wire racks; cool 20 minutes or until completely cool.

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies: Omit pretzels, chocolate mini morsels, and cinnamon candies. Freeze dough 15 minutes. Roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface, and cut with a 3-inch Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° according to package directions or until lightly browned. Remove from oven, and cool as directed. Frost tops of cookies with ready-to-spread vanilla frosting, and sprinkle with red and green colored sugars and sprinkles.

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Amish Ginger Cookies

Chief | November 23, 2008

Traditional cookies from Amish Country.

Makes about 48

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
extra granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses; beat until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 5 – 7 minutes until barely turning brown. Allow to cool for 1 minute on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

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Cheese Scones

Chief | April 13, 2008

As eaten by Tom Cruise

Cheese scones are quick and easy to make. You probably already have the ingredients too!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 scones

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 220 degrees C

  1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees C
  2. Shift dry ingredients and then rub in butter until mixture is like breadcrumbs, then add cheese
  3. Make a pit in the middle of the mixture and add milk mixing quickly
  4. Turn out dough and knead lightly
  5. Roll out until dough is 2cm thick and cut into 6
  6. Place on greased tray and brush with milk and sprinkle with a little cheese
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes

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Low Fat Pear Muffins

Chief | March 25, 2008

pear muffins

These pear muffins are a delightful fall treat. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg add a nice flavor. As always, these muffins are at their best warm from the oven, but they freeze well, too.

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup non-fat milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 large, ripe pear, peeled, cored and chopped

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with paper muffin cups.Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and spices in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine milk, egg and canola oil.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add milk mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in chopped pear. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling them 2/3 full, and bake for 20 minutes.

Makes approx 12 muffins.

Per Serving: Calories 148, Calories from Fat 26, Total Fat 3g (sat 0.3g), Cholesterol 18mg, Sodium 233mg, Carbohydrate 27.2g, Fiber 1.4g, Protein 3.4g