It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum

Topics => Food & Cooking => Topic started by: RickZ on October 02, 2013, 08:39:03 PM

Title: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 02, 2013, 08:39:03 PM
 It's a pressing question of serious seasonal import.

Being a candy corn afficianado, this is why I Halloween is so scary to me:  I always end up eating at least one bag.  Every.  damn.  year.

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/398425/398425,1251437798,5/stock-photo-chocolate-candy-corn-for-background-36049042.jpg)                     (http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4650269650388040&pid=1.7)


Anyway, definitely chocolate.

Thank gawd Halloween only comes around once a year, though I still have another bloody month to go.  Danger!  Danger!  Will Robinson!
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 02, 2013, 10:47:01 PM
not a candy corn lover   ::exitstageleft::

you can have mine  ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 03, 2013, 07:08:23 AM
Along with lemondrops, taffy and other confections...my grandfather spoiled me candy corn too, it was his favorite.

Chocalate, on candy corn?  Grandfather would not approve!   ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 03, 2013, 07:19:47 AM
Libertas, I never really liked candy corn until the chocolate ones came out.  I also do not like the rather large pumpkin shaped ones.  Just too much per bite.

(http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/2009/10/27/pumpkincandycorn.jpg)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: IronDioPriest on October 03, 2013, 07:21:32 AM
Gosh, I despise that stuff. And there aren't too many candies I don't like.

 ::bigpuke::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 03, 2013, 07:35:48 AM
Yeah, I'll pass on the fat gross pumpkin ones.

But candy corn is what it is.

You want totally disgusting?  Let's talk peeps!!!   ::puke::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: IronDioPriest on October 03, 2013, 07:53:25 AM
Yeah, I'll pass on the fat gross pumpkin ones.

But candy corn is what it is.

You want totally disgusting?  Let's talk peeps!!!   ::puke::

I'm with ya there. Blech.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 03, 2013, 11:03:59 AM
I love seeing candy corn -- it means fall and Halloween and childhood to me just didn't like it. Same for that "ribbon candy" my mom used to buy at Christmas. lol

Peeps?

Got to admit I loved them as a kid.

I don't eat much candy (or desserts of any kind) any more--I way more satisfied with the fresh food I now cook that rarely do I want to spoil that with sugary treats after dinner.

I used to have such a sweet tooth but now I'm more of a savory type.

Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Septugenarian on October 06, 2013, 07:21:39 PM
My cousin's MD husband told me about 40 years ago that if sugar had been first developed then in time that it would have been banned.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Glock32 on October 06, 2013, 08:19:45 PM
I prefer the regular old candy corn without chocolate. I also like the little pumpkin ones. Halloween was most fun for me when the costumes were simple and kitschy, i.e. a vinyl "gown" and a plastic mask with a rubber band holding it on your head. My earliest memory of Halloween was wearing a costume like that in the form of R2-D2. It was unusually cold that Halloween and I was sick the next day. I also fell off someone's porch into the bushes. I was about 3 years old.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on October 06, 2013, 08:37:39 PM
I can stand a few handfuls of traditional candy corn (not that alternative chocolate stuff).

Here are 2 all-time faves:

(http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4551992201643887&w=275&h=183&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7)

&

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/7098323751_6186d96abb.jpg)
(w/this one, I have the component parts, too: pretzels, peanut butter
& dove medallions: the damage sustained melts off w/ea. morning run)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: pisskop on October 06, 2013, 08:38:14 PM
Plain candy corn for me.  No pumpkin shapes or chocolate flavors.  Just hand me enough to become diabetic and let me go on my way.   ::thumbsup::

But the best thing ever is Peanut butter brittle.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 06, 2013, 08:40:49 PM
I love Butterfingers and Heath bars.  Mmmmmmm!!!   ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: warpmine on October 07, 2013, 10:54:06 AM
Yeah, I'll pass on the fat gross pumpkin ones.

But candy corn is what it is.

You want totally disgusting?  Let's talk peeps!!!   ::puke::
Ain't to fond of them myself though many in the family like them all the same.

Brachs has an apple candy corn which I like far more than the other two. As with anything, to much at one time just kills the joy.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 07, 2013, 12:12:35 PM
I prefer the regular old candy corn without chocolate. I also like the little pumpkin ones. Halloween was most fun for me when the costumes were simple and kitschy, i.e. a vinyl "gown" and a plastic mask with a rubber band holding it on your head. My earliest memory of Halloween was wearing a costume like that in the form of R2-D2. It was unusually cold that Halloween and I was sick the next day. I also fell off someone's porch into the bushes. I was about 3 years old.

I remember being 6 years old and waiting breathlessly for mom to return from the drugstore with my cheap little costume.  How I hoped she got a princess one!

Then people got concerned about the flammability of those costumes and my mom got cheap so we had homemade, lame costumes.  My mom always wanted me to be a gypsy--I could put on her long 70's skirts and a bunch of jewelry. ( I hated it.)  I changed  that with my kids! lol I make their costumes--I sew enough I don't need a pattern every time and it's cheaper and faster than trudging from store to store trying to find one they like.

I'm also the mom that encourages my kids to get as much candy as possible. hehehe  I have one kid who would quit after a while and say "I have enough." Me: "What's wrong with you?  Don't you know how this works?" (I let her quit but she had to stick with the others until they were done.)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 08, 2013, 07:06:27 AM
Heh!  Could be siblings!   ::thumbsup::

My mother made all our costumes until we were old enough to do that ourselves, didn't think it was because I thought she was thrifty at the time, she was really good at artsy stuff like that and not only made costumes but whole themes for our birthday parties (pirate birthday, race car birthday, etc).  But that artistic side didn't transmit genetically...my skills as an older trick/treater was limited to conjuring up being a bum or a mummy.

 ::facepalm::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 08, 2013, 10:21:24 AM
I'm honestly surprised at the open hostility those adorable little chocolate candy corn have generated.  I'm shocked, shocked I tell ya.  Chocophobes, the lot of ya!

Never was into marshmallow, even open an open fire; never got into meringue, either.  Now whipped cream . . . .

Have to say I've been into some candy bars of late that I never ate as a kid, Peter Paul Mounds, the dark chocolate one and, surprisingly sans chocolate, Paydays.  Like miniature candy now, though, with the candy corn being a problem due to the size of the package after opening, versus those little snack bars.  Having those mini Tootsie Rolls around takes care of any chocolate fix that might suddenly rear its ugly head.  I also enjoy a nicely chilled mini York Peppermint Patty.  Kids today have it so good because when I was a kid, you only had the small saucer plate sized bar, rather big and overpowering in large doses.  But that mini one is juuuuuuust right.

I guess I should turn this thread into:  Hello, my name is Rick, and I'm a chocoholic.  {Murmers, HI Rick [hand waving] murmers}

So chocolate candy corn is good with me.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 08, 2013, 10:28:53 AM
Chocolate used to be my go-to candy as a kid.  Didn't really understand anyone who wanted to eat anything else as candy. I remember in high school I could eat 3 candy bars in one sitting. 


I don't eat much chocolate any more.  I hated dark chocolate as a kid but now that's all it eat if I eat chocolate. One small piece is all I need to feel satisfied.  (Ok, except Nutella.   I rediscovered that this spring and now can't remember why I used to hate it!) I can't eat regular milk chocolate bars any more --they're too sweet.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Glock32 on October 08, 2013, 04:55:51 PM
I like chocolate, but one thing I can't stand is malted chocolate. I have hated Whoppers and the like since childhood.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Pandora on October 08, 2013, 06:01:12 PM
I'm honestly surprised at the open hostility those adorable little chocolate candy corn have generated. 

No hostility, just dislike.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kit-Kat for me (although the commercials are annoying) and Three Musketeers.  I get German-made chocolate bars -- Sport -- with hazelnuts.

Definitely prefer chocolate with nuts.

Anybody remember Bonomo turkish taffy bars?
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 08, 2013, 10:58:07 PM
I've never heard of it, Pan.

I like chocolate, but one thing I can't stand is malted chocolate. I have hated Whoppers and the like since childhood.

That's where Easter's dangerous for me.  Malted Easter eggs.  In large bags.  Readily available.  Right out in the open.  For anyone to buy.

Speaking of anybody remember, now how about Zero Bars?

(http://www.oldtimecandy.com/assets/images/old_boxes/zero-candy-bar-hollywood.jpg)

I remember the polar bears on the label from when I was a kid.  Now the imageTM is meh.  Techno high flash.

(http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/Zero%20Bar.jpg)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Glock32 on October 08, 2013, 11:22:48 PM
I do like Zero bars.  I don't remember the polar bear logo though.  In fact I didn't know Zero bars had been around that long.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 09, 2013, 05:55:41 AM
I do like Zero bars.  I don't remember the polar bear logo though.  In fact I didn't know Zero bars had been around that long.

Thanks a lot, Pal.

From Wiki:

Quote
ZERO was first launched by the Hollywood Brands candy company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1920 as the Double Zero Bar and was renamed "ZERO" in 1934.

Hmmph.

1920 is even before my time, you young whippersnapper, you.  Even my Mom was born after that, in '22.  Didn't know they were around that long, huuuuh?!?  Sheesh.  Kids today.

/There is no History before they were born.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: IronDioPriest on October 09, 2013, 08:01:09 AM
I like chocolate, but one thing I can't stand is malted chocolate. I have hated Whoppers and the like since childhood.

I'm right with ya.

Since we're all sharing our candy likes...

(http://www.candymachines.com/images/bulk_candy/candy-by-the-pound/chewy-spree-candy-by-the-pound.jpg)

If you know what these are, you can be my friend.

 ::kissface::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 09, 2013, 09:37:46 AM
Spree?

One the few non-chocolate candies I like.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: IronDioPriest on October 09, 2013, 11:14:53 AM
Spree?

One the few non-chocolate candies I like.

 ::grouphug::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 09, 2013, 12:34:10 PM
Non-chocolate...

Remember Zotz?

http://www.oldtimecandy.com/zotz-cherry-box.htm?gdftrk=gdfV22518_a_7c838_a_7c10636_a_7c37724 (http://www.oldtimecandy.com/zotz-cherry-box.htm?gdftrk=gdfV22518_a_7c838_a_7c10636_a_7c37724)

Some people don't like the fizz, I call those people boring.   ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 09, 2013, 01:01:22 PM
Spree?

One the few non-chocolate candies I like.

 ::grouphug::

I passed the Spree test!

 ::danceban:: ::bustamove:: ::danceban::


(Zotz--I liked the fizz but those weren't common so I didn't have them too many times.)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 31, 2013, 06:41:56 AM
Damn.  Yesterday, 10/30, was National Candy Corn Day, and I missed it.

Candy Holidays:  http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/content.cfm?ItemNumber=987 (http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/content.cfm?ItemNumber=987)

Today is National Caramel Apple Day, which doesn't do anything for me.  November 7th, however, is a keeper.  That day is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day.  Now that's something into which I can sink my teeth.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 31, 2013, 09:34:05 AM
I didn't have a caramel apple until I was an adult. Didn't get the fuss but every store around here has them.

Do you say car-mel or cara-mel or care-mel?
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on October 31, 2013, 10:07:34 AM
I didn't have a caramel apple until I was an adult. Didn't get the fuss but every store around here has them.

Do you say car-mel or cara-mel or care-mel?

None of the above.  care-eh-mull.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on October 31, 2013, 10:41:25 AM
car-mel.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 31, 2013, 11:22:10 AM
Candy Holiday's..courtesy of Hershey, Nestle, Cadbury...

How many fricken national candy holiday's are there?  I feel like I am being Hallmarked!
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Dan on October 31, 2013, 11:57:31 AM
I'm an admitted chocoholic, so much so that I have my Hershey's hat from our trip to Hershey park, and I'm on my second one since I wore out the first (people around town who don't reeally know me say to my wife "always wears the chocolate hat?"). Also, embarrassingly, I've pretty much poisoned myself with the stuff!! No lie. I take a medication for GI distress brought on by eating too much. Chocolate has a component much like caffeine and can mess you up a little. So small doses are all I can do or I feel it.
So, my names Dan and yes, I really am a chocoholic!
That said, candy corn doesn't need chocolate, IMO. And I'm a big candy corn fan, too. The pumpkins are too much, as pointed out. Peeps are okay in small bits, but does any one else like those circuits peanuts! Not sure what flavor you'd call em, but they're orange. Used to be mad for the,, but have mostly outgrown them. Ok once in a while.
But, the thing that I know to stay away from , or that takes supreme willpower to stop once started, because it'd be disastrous, is Nutella! Think peanut butter, but chocolate (with hazelnut)! A spread you can put on anything from toast to... well, name it.
I'm pretty sure my sweet tooth will be the death of me.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 31, 2013, 12:14:10 PM
Must have sum dat Scandahoovian jeans dere, eh?!   ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 31, 2013, 12:43:07 PM
Circus peanuts?  not a fan

anyone remember those hard, sugary "eggs" at Easter?  Sort of a marshmallow in the middle but with a thick sugar coating?  yuck
I hated jelly beans until Jelly Belly.

NUTELLA!   ::danceban:: ::danceban:: ::danceban::

I had it once years ago and didn't get the big deal.  I had it again this spring.  OH MY GOSH.  Who needs toast.  A spoon is sufficient. I have a daughter with a dairy allergy so I actually make a dairy free version so she can have some too.
(I prefer the European version of Nutella over the Canadian version because it's slightly less sweet but US stores only carry the Canadian one.)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Dan on October 31, 2013, 01:26:21 PM
If i had discovered  nutella as a kid,  I would've used nothing but my fingers!
Didn't know  there were 2 versions of it. First time i had it was in Europe, and was depressed for  years after,  having never seen it on US shelves. But I found it a few years ago and  I tell  myy wife its for  the kids ;)
And isnt it funny how  our tastes change as we get older?

And as I'm a true european mutt,  I  may have a swede in the woodpile, but i  was never able  to get a straight answer from my mothers mother. I definatly get my sweet tooth from her. She used to bring all sorts of  stuff from a local confectioner and got me hooked. She was such a regular there,  that years after she passed away,  I  went in and ordered some of her/my favorites,  and all the  ladies  behind the  counter knew her and remembered her well.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on October 31, 2013, 02:09:56 PM
My Swede mother gets the blame too!   ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on October 31, 2013, 02:55:24 PM
My Swede mother gets the blame too!   ;D

HEY! Don't knock the Swedes! I be one!
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on October 31, 2013, 02:59:08 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/CandyBars.jpg)
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on October 31, 2013, 10:49:17 PM
Y'all are a bad influence.  I haven't had Halloween candy in 5 years.

Got home with the squirt tonight and I'm digging through her bucket looking for all my old favorites.

Guess I'll do the ab bicycle tomorrow.   ;D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on November 01, 2013, 06:41:55 AM
Only had about 33 girls and ghouls last night...about average for recent years, not that many going out...I got 1 1/2 mongo sacks of chocolate bars left...guess I get to fatten up people at work!
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: IronDioPriest on November 01, 2013, 07:10:34 AM
Only had about 33 girls and ghouls last night...about average for recent years, not that many going out...I got 1 1/2 mongo sacks of chocolate bars left...guess I get to fatten up people at work!

Gosh our neighborhood is just teeming with trick-or-treaters every year. The front porch lights make it look almost like day; so many houses do elaborate displays; halloween noises coming from this house or that; dad's pulling a dozen kids on a little flatbed behind an ATV...

Last year we ran out of candy so we had to dig into our personal stash of granola bars and snack-packs of Oreos and Chips Ahoys while my son raced to the store to buy more. This year I stocked up so there was no way we'd run out. We do have leftover, but not as much as I thought we might.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on November 01, 2013, 10:29:11 AM
IDP, that sounds so nice and normal.  I've heard of parents who discourage trick-or-treating.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Alphabet Soup on November 01, 2013, 10:54:39 AM
Only had about 33 girls and ghouls last night...about average for recent years, not that many going out...I got 1 1/2 mongo sacks of chocolate bars left...guess I get to fatten up people at work!

I had about a dozen - way down from last year. Mostly just the kids from the immediate neighborhood. Weather was crappy all day but cleared off for the evening so I'm at a loss why so few.

Cute little buggers who did show up though.  :D
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Libertas on November 01, 2013, 11:07:01 AM
Only had about 33 girls and ghouls last night...about average for recent years, not that many going out...I got 1 1/2 mongo sacks of chocolate bars left...guess I get to fatten up people at work!

I had about a dozen - way down from last year. Mostly just the kids from the immediate neighborhood. Weather was crappy all day but cleared off for the evening so I'm at a loss why so few.

Cute little buggers who did show up though.  :D

Yeah, I like the little ones, they're so cute and this thing is so new and amazing to them!  Oldest I had were maybe in the 11-12 range thank God, it is just weird when older teenagers come knocking...I look at them like "for real?!"...but they must be going elsewhere now.

 ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: Glock32 on November 01, 2013, 11:33:12 PM
You're all forgetting the best part, the after Halloween clearance sale. They're already feverishly making room for Christmas theme stuff in the stores, so all the leftover Halloween candy has to go. And a substantial bit of it went directly to my kitchen. Those mini Reece's peanut butter cups are my major weakness.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on November 02, 2013, 02:48:41 AM
You're all forgetting the best part, the after Halloween clearance sale. They're already feverishly making room for Christmas theme stuff in the stores, so all the leftover Halloween candy has to go. And a substantial bit of it went directly to my kitchen. Those mini Reece's peanut butter cups are my major weakness.

Chilled right out of the fridge.

It seems everyone has a specific sweet tooth weakness.  Kit-Kats, M&M's with almonds, Paydays, et.al.  I have a serious sweet tooth.  I blame my Mom because she was such a great dessert cook.  She made fudge, with and without walnuts, or butterscotch fudge, with and without nuts, brownies, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, divinity, all flavor of cakes and pies (the chocolate and coconut pies being my favorites); she even took a bakery course once to learn how to make frosting roses for her cakes.  She used to make these large divinity 'eggs', covered in chocolate with icing names; one year she made them for the convent, about 14 eggs, with a large divinity mother hen, also covered in chocolate.  I lived in a bakery that was open 24/7; it's also why I wore husky jeans.  Every time I go shopping I try very hard to avoid the candy aisle, now even more so with all the sales.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on November 02, 2013, 09:00:26 AM
We had a group of 2 on Thursday night, and none last night, for a total of 2. But for the previous 2 years we've had none.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on November 02, 2013, 05:46:31 PM
RickZ,

Sounds like my mom did a lot of stuff like your mom.  I haven't had a coconut cream pie with meringue like my moms--ever. No one here likes it so I've never made it.  I have made a pretty good coconut cake like she made. Divinity!!! Loved it. Fudge, of course. Lemon bars.  Love those.  Make them occasionally. Mom even made a good fruitcake.  She was picky about how she made them.  Guess that's why I like them. I was thinking of trying it this year even though I'll be the only one eating it. I suppose I could freeze it. Mom took a cake decorating class once and then all the cakes had flowers and roses on them and pretty scallops on the edges. I have a cake decorating set I drag out occasionally.  Mom didn't make brownies or chocolate chip cookies.  I don't know why.  She would make a bunch of different cookies at Christmas time--dozens and dozens for parties and to freeze. We had dessert every night and leftovers went into our lunch bags.

I had a pretty good sweet tooth until about 10 years ago and then I deliberately cut back. Too many diabetics in the family. Now I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I still love to bake though.

The kids and I started a tradition of sorts a few years ago--there are certain candies and cookies we only make at Christmas--truffles, Russian tea cakes, rum balls, spritz, etc. It makes it all more special and taste really good when we finally make them!

Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: RickZ on November 03, 2013, 06:30:46 AM
RickZ,

Sounds like my mom did a lot of stuff like your mom.  I haven't had a coconut cream pie with meringue like my moms--ever. No one here likes it so I've never made it.

I was never a fan of meringue; I prefer a whipped cream topping.  But the one thing my Mom could do with her meringue that I never saw anybody else do was, when cooked, having little gold oil balls (like those tiny sprinkles) appear.  Supposedly, this is the high art of meringue making and not easy to do.  Except for her, she had those little gold balls on her meringue every time.

Quote
Mom even made a good fruitcake.  She was picky about how she made them.  Guess that's why I like them. I was thinking of trying it this year even though I'll be the only one eating it. I suppose I could freeze it.


My Mom made a holiday pecan cake.  Good, but I'm just not a fan of these types of 'cakes' because, without icing, it ain't cake.

Quote
Mom took a cake decorating class once and then all the cakes had flowers and roses on them and pretty scallops on the edges. I have a cake decorating set I drag out occasionally.

My Mom could do the scalloped icing, writing names and such, just couldn't make roses.  When I've needed decorative icing on a cake, or even whipped cream/sour cream or even mashed potatoes, since I don't have a pastry bag, I use a zip lock bag with a corner cut out.  I put the pastry tip in the corner and Voila! you have a pastry bag.  No need to wash as it's disposable.

For someone who was never trained, Mom could be pretty creative with her cakes.  I remember one particular cake she made, a two-layer chocolate cake with white icing, topped with green coconut.  She'd stick jelly beans, small chocolate bunnies and the like all around the edge.  On top, she'd put some peeps and other Easter animal candies, along with sprinkling around jelly beans and the like.  She then made a handle of aluminum foil so that the cake looked like an Easter basket.

Quote
Mom didn't make brownies or chocolate chip cookies.  I don't know why.  She would make a bunch of different cookies at Christmas time--dozens and dozens for parties and to freeze. We had dessert every night and leftovers went into our lunch bags.


Fudge is not as easy to make as it looks.  If not done right, it can come out grainy, tasty, but grainy.  She had the knack and feel for desserts; I just wouldn't let her cook a pork chop -- shoe leather was softer.  Her candy thermometer was something I remember her using often, getting things to soft/hard ball temp.  And being the inquisitive brat that I was, I was always wondering about what a 'soft ball' or 'hard ball' was since it was food and not a sandlot game.  She'd take the time to explain, though, pain that I was.   

It was hell living in a bakery open 24/7. Hell, I tell ya.

The one time she decided to experiment on a dessert she had never made, it was a spectacular failure, a rare failure, but a failure.  She tried to make flan.  It was terrible.  The family teased her about how she discovered the recipe for concrete patch.  She vowed never to make that again, after getting all that good-natured ribbing.  But that was her only failure, except when it was too humid to make divinity and she'd try anyway, hoping for the best.  Now that wasn't a fault of anyone or thing other than the weather.  And she knew there might be a problem going in.  Once, the divinity ran like it was a pudding.  Still tasted good, just did not come out like she wanted.  For Mom, the weather report was an important part of many of her dessert recipes.

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I had a pretty good sweet tooth until about 10 years ago and then I deliberately cut back. Too many diabetics in the family. Now I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I still love to bake though.

About the only dessert I'll make now is the occasional package of brownie mix, doctored of course.  I'll buy a good brand of plain chocolate brownie mix and add chopped walnuts and extra Dutch-processed cocoa powder.  I'll also make chocolate pudding, topped with whipped cream, of course.

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The kids and I started a tradition of sorts a few years ago--there are certain candies and cookies we only make at Christmas--truffles, Russian tea cakes, rum balls, spritz, etc. It makes it all more special and taste really good when we finally make them!

Family food traditions are always good.  It makes for memories that far outlast the person, as in my Mom's case.
Title: Re: Candy Corn: With or Without Chocolate?
Post by: LadyVirginia on November 04, 2013, 10:04:20 AM
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I just wouldn't let her cook a pork chop -- shoe leather was softer.

I laughed at that!  I was an adult before I understood that meats, chicken, etc weren't supposed to be dried out.  Mom will say she likes hers like shoe leather.  We tease her and say she wants to makes sure it's good and dead.