Field Guide to Candy: How to Identify and Make Virtually Every Candy Imaginable (94 page)

3.
Pour fondue into a fondue pot if desired. Serve fondue with dipping items and fondue forks or bamboo skewers.

Yield:

About 2 cups of fondue

Storage:

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

General Description:

Chocolate peanut clusters are a simple combination of roasted peanuts and smooth, sweet chocolate
. Although most clusters contain just these two elements, the creativity of candy-makers has resulted in clusters with all sorts of goodies embedded in the chocolate.
Turtles
are a form of cluster, as are
rocky road
candies; the irregular, casual appearance of these candies is what defines them.

History:

Although clusters appear similar to French confections
rochers
and
mendiants
, they are probably a North American invention. One of the most well-known commercial forms of this candy is the Goo Goo Cluster, which combines a mound of peanuts, caramel, and marshmallows under a chocolate coating. Invented by the Standard Candy Company in Nashville in 1912, the Goo Goo Cluster is one of the most popular candies in the American South.

Serving Suggestions:

Chocolate clusters are a great candy to make with leftover ingredients from other baking endeavors. Their homespun appearance makes them an easy treat to whip up for casual get-togethers.

Candy-Making Notes:

These clusters are one of the simplest candies to make on a whim, given the freeform recipe. You can substitute or add just about any ingredient: other nuts,
dried fruit, coconut, or marshmallows.

Recipe:

1.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2.
Melt chocolate in a metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally so it will melt evenly.

3.
Add in the peanuts and stir to coat.

4.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking sheet. Let set before serving.

Yield:

About 20 clusters

Storage:

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.

General Description:

Hot and spicy instead of sweet, cinnamon candy packs a delightfully piquant punch
. Commercial varieties include the creatively named classic American candies Red Hots, Hot Tamales, and Atomic Fireballs.

History:

Cinnamon originated in India and was among the highly coveted spices sold along the ancient trade routes from Asia to Europe. Cinnamon oil is made from the bark and leaves of the cinnamon tree. Flavoring extracts can evaporate in the intensely hot sugar syrups used in candy making; cinnamon oil’s potency gives it better flavor retention, which is why it was one of the first successful flavorings for hard candies.

Serving Suggestions:

With its vibrant red color and stimulating flavor, cinnamon candy is a natural match for Valentine’s Day. You can pour the sugar syrup into heart-shaped lollipop molds.

Candy-Making Notes:

Cinnamon oil is not the same as cinnamon extract; it is much more potent and should be handled with care. You can use cinnamon extract, but the flavor will be less strong.