Basic Candy Making Instructions

FROM SWEET TREAT SUPPLY, YOUR CANDY MAKING AND CAKE DECORATING SUPERSTORE!

Preparing the Chocolate

You can use real chocolate wafers, chips or chunks, or premium confectionery coating.If you use real chocolate it must be tempered or the chocolate will not re-solidify properly. Confectionery coatings come in a variety of colors and flavors which are much easier to use, and do not require tempering. Our Sweet Treat Supply Premium Quality Chocolate Confectionery Coatings, which can be flavored and colored to whatever you desire with our flavorings and powdered colorings, are the highest quality products available to melt and use in your creations.

Heat some water in the lower portion of a double boiler. Remove pan from heat and place the top portion of the boiler on it. Pour candy melts into top half and stir frequently until completely melted.You can also melt the candy rounds in the microwave. Put one pound in a glass container.Heat your chocolate or candy melts with a medium setting in your microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Carefully remove container and stir. Repeat this process until the candy melts are completely melted. Do NOT Overheat!

Molding

Use a spoon, pastry bag, or a squeeze bottle to fill each cavity of the mold with the melted candy rounds. After all cavities are full, gently tap the mold against the table to bring any air bubbles to the surface. Place the mold in the freezer until set (approximately 4-5 minutes). Remove from freezer and carefully invert the mold over a towel. The candies should pop right out.Wrap the candy in candy wrappers or put in candy cups and place in a candy box with pad.

***Note*** If the candy does not release easily place it back in the freezer and allow it to set a little longer.

Suckers

Suckers are done in basically the same manner as above. First, fill the cavity of the sucker. Gently tap the mold against the table to bring any air bubbles to the surface.Next, place a sucker stick in the slot provided on the mold, and rotate to ensure it is embedded. Place the mold in the freezer until set (approximately 4-5 minutes). Remove from freezer and carefully invert the mold over a towel.The suckers should pop right out.

***Note*** If the candy does not release easily place it back in the freezer and allow it to set a little longer.

Filled Candies

Candies can be filled with an assortment of fillings from nuts and fruits, peanut butter mixture, to crispy rice cereal based products. The secret to filled candies is the shell. The example at right is the peanut butter cup mold.Spoon or squeeze a small amount of melted candy rounds into the mold cavity.Using a small tipped food approved paintbrush spread the melted candy rounds throughout the cavity making sure to paint up the sides of the mold. The melted candy rounds should coat the entire cavity of the mold making a shell. Place in freezer to solidify the shell. Remove from freezer and place a small piece of the filling into the shell. Do not over-fill the cavity.Allow enough space for pouring or squeezing more melted candy rounds into the cavity to complete. Freeze until set up and carefully remove from the mold as previously described. The main thing to remember is the thickness of the shell. Ensure it is thick enough to support the filling you are using. If using a liquid filling, as in chocolate covered cherries, ensure the shell is a little thicker and comes all the way up the side of the mold cavity. After freezing the shell and filling the cavity with the cherry and juice, completely cover the cavity with melted candy round.Freeze and un-mold as previously described.

Nut Clusters

Start with your favorite nut pieces. Place in a bowl and add melted candy rounds to complete coat. Spoon your mixture onto wax paper and place in freezer to set. Remove from freezer when set, lift off the wax paper and enjoy the tasty candy treat!

Crispy Rice Candy Bars

To make this treat use your favorite crispy rice cereal. Place in a bowl and add melted candy rounds to completely coat. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly. Place in freezer until set. Remove from freezer and cut into bars.

Dipped Pretzels

Choose your favorite pretzel twists or sticks.Melt candy rounds as previously described. Dip the pretzels individually or place a number of them in a bowl and pour the melted candy rounds over them. Completely coat the pretzels.Place them on wax paper individually and freeze until set. To decorate the pretzels use a different color melted candy round and drizzle it over the pretzels.

Large Candy Molds

Many holiday and greeting card molds, like large Easter bunnies and eggs and most 3D molds use a large amount of melted candy. To reduce the amount needed, try using the nut or crispy rice mixtures mentioned above to fill in the balance of the mold. Paint a shell and set as previously described. This will keep the textured mixture from distorting the molded shape. Once the shell has set use either mixture to finish filling the cavities. Place in freezer and allow the mixture to set up. Remember, since these are larger molds they will take longer to set up. Remove from freezer and un-mold.

Recipes

Peanut Butter Filling

1 cup Peanut Butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Mix together until smooth. The mixture should have a doughy consistency and be easy to shape. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of softened butter or margarine and mix thoroughly. Roll into a log a little smaller in diameter than the size of the mold cavity you are using and cut into pieces. Remember, don’t make the slices too thick or they won’t fit into the shell!

Cherry Cordial Filling

1 jar of red cherries

Instant fondant mix

Mix the juice from a jar of cherries and instant fondant mix to a creamy consistency. The liquid will appear cloudy at first. Do not worry; the juice will clear up once the candies have set.

Mint Patty Filling

1-cup instant fondant mix

1/8-cup water

Peppermint flavoring to taste

Mix together thoroughly. The fondant should be the consistency of thick cookie dough. Add peppermint flavoring to taste and mix thoroughly. Roll into a log and cut into thin slices that will fit into the cavity of the mold.

Care of Molds

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